Macron, Abbas discuss PA’s readiness to assume responsibility in Gaza
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After the phone call, Macron called for "reforms" to the Palestinian Authority as part of a broader plan that envisions the body taking over governance of post-war Gaza in place of Hamas.
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French President Emmanuel Macron, left, listens to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, in Ramallah, West Bank (AP)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held a phone call on Monday with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, to discuss the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, the official state-run news agency Wafa reported.
During the conversation, Abbas stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the expedited delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave. He also firmly rejected any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land.
In March, "Israel" reneged on a ceasefire that brought two months of relative calm and resumed its war on the Gaza Strip.
According to the agency, the two leaders also discussed the Palestinian Authority’s readiness to assume full responsibility for governance and security in the Gaza Strip within a unified framework supported by Palestinian factions aligned with the political platform of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and its international commitments.
The call also highlighted the importance of implementing the Arab plan for the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, ensuring these efforts proceed with Palestinians remaining steadfast on their land, Wafa added.
Both presidents reaffirmed the need to advance the "two-state solution" based on international legitimacy and to prepare for the upcoming international peace conference scheduled for June, the report mentioned.
Abbas also briefed Macron on the comprehensive reform agenda currently underway within the Palestinian system.
He expressed deep appreciation to France for its "principled stance against forced displacement, its call for an immediate ceasefire, and its unwavering support for the Palestinian people's right to remain rooted in their homeland." The Palestinian president also thanked France for backing a "peace process" grounded in the "two-state solution."
Abbas further welcomed France’s role in co-organizing the upcoming peace conference alongside Saudi Arabia and stressed the importance of recognizing the State of Palestine and supporting its bid for full United Nations membership.
In addition, Abbas expressed his gratitude for France’s "ongoing humanitarian assistance, its support for Palestinian national institutions, and its continued backing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)."
The Palestinian leader also reiterated his categorical rejection of any plans or proposals aimed at displacing Palestinians, whether from Gaza, the West Bank, or the eastern part of occupied Al-Quds, stressing that such measures violate international law and the resolutions of international legitimacy.
He firmly reaffirmed the Palestinian people’s right to remain on their land, underscoring, “We will not leave, nor will we be displaced.”
Moreover, Abbas underlined the urgent need to halt "Israel's" "colonial expansion, annexation plans and attacks on holy sites, which undermine the two-state solution and jeopardize the prospects for peace, security and stability in the region."
Read more: Resistance leader details Gaza proposal, Hamas’ stance: Exclusive
Macron calls for disarming, sidelining Hamas
After the phone call, Macron called for "reforms" to the Palestinian Authority as part of a broader plan that envisions the Ramallah-based body taking over governance of post-war Gaza in place of Hamas.
France is among several European nations that support the return of Gaza to Palestinian Authority control, ending nearly two decades of Hamas rule in the territory.
Je viens de parler avec le Président de l’Autorité palestinienne Mahmoud Abbas.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 14, 2025
La France est pleinement mobilisée pour obtenir la libération de tous les otages, le retour d’un cessez-le-feu durable et un accès immédiat de l’aide humanitaire vers Gaza.
Il est essentiel de bâtir…
"It is essential to set a framework for the day after: disarm and sideline Hamas, define credible governance and reform the Palestinian Authority," Macron said on X.
"This should allow progress towards a two-state political solution, with a view to the peace conference in June, in the service of peace and security for all," he added.
The French president had previously said that his country may take the unprecedented step of recognizing a Palestinian state during the upcoming United Nations conference in New York, a declaration that drew condemnation from the Israeli occupation entity.
