By SCM Staff Writer I Thursday, October 09, 2025
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday issued a robust endorsement of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip announced by United States President Donald J. Trump, viewing the temporary truce as a critical first step toward ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state.
In a formal statement, President Abbas expressed hope that the efforts by President Trump and other unnamed mediators would be a “prelude to reaching a permanent political solution,” which he specified as the establishment of a Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The agreement, as described by President Abbas, includes a cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli “occupation forces,” the entry of urgent humanitarian aid, and a facilitation of a prisoner exchange.
The Palestinian leader stressed the need for all parties to commit to the immediate implementation of the deal, including the release of all hostages and prisoners and the prevention of displacement or annexation.
He also called for the swift commencement of reconstruction in the war-battered enclave and insisted that aid be funneled through the United Nations Organisation.
”He commended President Trump and all mediators for their significant efforts,” the statement read, affirming the State of Palestine’s readiness to work with international partners to ensure the agreement’s success and “achieve stability and a lasting and just peace in accordance with international law.”
Unilateral Actions and Palestinian Unity
Beyond the immediate ceasefire, President Abbas used the moment to reiterate a series of long-standing demands directed at the international community and Israel.
He called on world powers to compel Israel to halt all unilateral measures that violate international law, specifically citing the expansion of settlement activities and what he termed “settler terrorism.”
The President also demanded the disarming of settlers, an end to what he characterized as hate speech by the “extremist government,” and a cessation of attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites.
Furthermore, he addressed the ongoing financial crisis facing the Palestinian Authority (PA), calling for an end to the withholding of tax revenues, the “strangulation of the Palestinian economy,” and the imposition of military checkpoints, all of which he stated were undermining PA institutions.
In a clear statement regarding the future governance of Gaza, President Abbas reiterated that sovereignty over the Gaza Strip belongs to the State of Palestine.
He stressed that the crucial connection between the West Bank and Gaza must be managed through unified Palestinian laws, government institutions, a single administrative committee, and Palestinian security forces, all operating within a singular legal and political framework with Arab and international support.
