Abbas warns against attempts to displace Palestinian people

RAMALLAH, Palestine

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday warned against attempts to displace the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, Jerusalem, or anywhere else.

In his speech at the Cairo Peace Summit, Abbas said: "Israel indiscriminately targets thousands of civilians, hospitals, schools, and shelter centers in the Gaza Strip."

Abbas also warned of attacks by “the occupation and extremist settlers on Jerusalem and its holy sites.”

“We will not accept displacement,” the Palestinian president said, stressing: “We will remain in our land despite the challenges."

Abbas said that “peace and security would be achieved through a two-state solution with Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state, and a just solution to the refugee issue on the basis of relevant international resolutions."

He said that the Israeli government “did not hear the calls for a cease-fire.”

The Palestinian president renewed his “rejection of the killing of civilians on both sides, demanding the immediate release of all prisoners.”

The Cairo Peace Summit began with international, Arab and UN participation to discuss the latest developments in the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

At least 31 countries and 3 international organizations have confirmed their participation in the Cairo Peace Summit, according to the private Cairo News Channel.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis, with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.

Earlier, a humanitarian convoy of 20 trucks began to enter the Gaza Strip from the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, the first since the armed conflict broke out between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an "immediate humanitarian cease-fire” to ease the “epic human suffering."

At least 4,137 Palestinians, including 1,524 children and 1,000 women have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi