RAMALLAH, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone call on Monday to address the escalating situation in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian presidency said in a statement.
According to the WAFA news agency, Abbas stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian aid access, and a firm stance against any forced displacement of Palestinians from their land.
Israel has blocked all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza since March 2. On March 18, it ended a two-month ceasefire with Hamas and resumed intensive air and ground assaults on the enclave.
Gaza health authorities reported Monday that the renewed Israeli attacks have killed 1,613 Palestinians and wounded 4,233 others.
Since the conflict began in October 2023, the total death toll in Gaza has reached 50,983, with 116,274 people injured. In the past 24 hours alone, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 38 people and injured 118 others, the authorities added.
During their conversation, Abbas and Macron also emphasized the importance of enabling the Palestinian Authority to resume governance and security responsibilities in Gaza while pushing forward reconstruction efforts in line with the Arab Peace Initiative, according to WAFA.
Abbas praised France's opposition to forced displacement and its support for a two-state solution based on international law and United Nations resolutions. He reiterated his rejection of any plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank, describing such actions as clear violations of international norms.
In an interview with France 5 television on Wednesday, Macron said France could formally recognize the State of Palestine in June. ■
