From At UN, Abbas lays out 12-point vision for post-war Gaza, beginning with permanent ceasefire
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
NEW YORK — Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas lays out his 12-point vision for the post-war management of Gaza, welcoming its review and amendment by the international community.
The first clause of the plan requires a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank.
The second clause requires humanitarian aid to be delivered en masse throughout Gaza.
Third, Israel must fully withdraw its forces from Gaza, without establishing any buffer zones and allow displaced Palestinians to return to their homes, or at least to the since-razed towns where they lived before the war. Abbas flatly rejects what he claims is Israel’s plan to evacuate Palestinians into Egypt and Jordan.
Fourth, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, must be protected and allowed to continue operating, amid Israeli efforts to close it down due to accusations that some of its members took part in the October 7 attacks and that Hamas has infiltrated the organization more broadly.
Fifth, Abbas calls for “international protection for the Palestinians on their occupied land… We are not fighting Israel. We cannot fight Israel, and we don’t want to fight, but we want protection,” Abbas says.
Sixth, the Palestinian government must have jurisdiction over the entirety of the Gaza Strip, including the Rafah Border Crossing and other gates.
Seventh, the PA will continue its efforts to engage in a “comprehensive national reform process.” Abbas says Ramallah’s work on this issue has been hailed by countries around the world and that it will be essential to rebuilding infrastructure in Gaza destroyed during the war.
Eighth, the Palestinian government will be the sole representative body for Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem and will have authority over all of those territories. “We will not ask for more, but we will not accept any less,” Abbas says, adding that he is still prepared to hold national elections if Israel allows balloting to take place in East Jerusalem.
Ninth, the Palestinians will continue in their bid to obtain full-member status at the UN, and Abbas calls on the international community to back the initiative.
Tenth, the UN General Assembly resolution ordering an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem within a year must be fully implemented in order to actualize a two-state solution.
Eleventh, an international peace conference must be held within a year to implement the two-state vision.
Twelfth, the establishment of international peacekeeping forces to protect the people of both new countries.
“These are the elements of our vision for the day after… And I call upon you to adopt this plan and to provide all the necessary means to guarantee its success,” Abbas says.
