Ramallah, Palestine – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized on Saturday the necessity of ending Hamas’ rule in the Gaza Strip and its disarmament. He also stressed the need for a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Strip, during a phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The call was made to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations. It also addressed the latest political developments and the situation in Palestine, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, as well as efforts to end the war and achieve a just and lasting peace.
The constants of the Palestinian position and the position of “Hamas”
President Abbas reaffirmed the constants of the Palestinian position, explaining that the Palestinian leadership condemned from the outset “the killing or capture of civilians, including what Hamas did on October 7.”
He stressed that implementing the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan requires Hamas and other factions to hand over their weapons to the Palestinian state. He also noted the need for a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. He added, “We have already recognized the State of Israel, and we remain committed to that. The State of Palestine adheres to the two-state solution based on international law.”
Comprehensive reforms and preparations for elections
President Abbas briefed the German Chancellor on the steps taken by the State of Palestine to implement the comprehensive reform program agreed upon with the European Union and the United States, which includes:
Reforming and updating school curricula in accordance with UNESCO standards.
Establishing a unified social welfare system and abolishing the law on payments to prisoners.
Prepare to go to general elections as soon as the war ends and suitable conditions are available.
He also clarified that the State of Palestine will hold municipal elections on April 16th. The state is working on drafting a transitional constitution and a modern law for political parties, stipulating that participation is contingent upon adherence to international obligations.
Abbas said: “We want a modern, democratic, and unarmed Palestinian state that believes in the peaceful transfer of power and political pluralism.”
Priority in implementing the Trump plan and the demands of the West Bank
The Palestinian president stressed that the priority now is implementing President Trump’s plan and UN Security Council Resolution 2803 to end the war and prevent forced displacement. He indicated that implementing the second phase would pave the way for:
The Palestinian Administrative Committee and the Palestinian Police entered.
Deployment of the initial stabilization force.
To embark on the reconstruction process in an organized and effective manner.
He stressed the need for parallel steps in the West Bank to halt the undermining of the two-state solution, including: stopping settler violence, halting settlement expansion, and releasing withheld Palestinian tax revenues.
