We want full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza: Palestinian PM - Exclusive

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
8 Feb 2024 01:36
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Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh has gone into detail about his government's position on a number of key issues during an interview for Al Mayadeen.

Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh speaks to Al Mayadeen during an interview aired on February 7, 2024. (Al Mayadeen)

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh welcomed any effort aimed at stopping the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people.

During an exclusive interview for Al Mayadeen, Shtayyeh thanked Egypt, Qatar, and all the Arab countries actively working to halt the aggression on the Palestinian people.

Shtayyeh pointed to division within the Israeli government regarding the ongoing mediated negotiations between the Palestinian Resistance and "Israel".

"From the first day, we knew that the agenda of the Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) and the Israeli government was to continue the aggression against the Palestinian people," Shtayyeh said, pointing out that the only thing "Israel" achieved in the Gaza Strip was killing 27,000 Palestinians, wounding another 67,000, and destroying about 281,000 housing units.

Shtayyeh welcomed any effort to stop the aggression, leading to the release of prisoners and stopping the systematic displacement of Palestinians that "Israel" seeks, especially after pushing 1.7 million Palestinians toward Rafah, a small geographical area that does not exceed a quarter of the Gaza Strip."

In an exclusive interview for #AlMayadeen, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh highlighted that the #Palestinian Resistance welcomes any effort that involves stopping the aggression on #Gaza while pointing out the division within the Israeli government as Netanyahu… pic.twitter.com/tR6BAVsrQR
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) February 7, 2024

US interest lies in reaching solutions

Regarding US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to the occupied Palestinian territories on Wednesday, Shtayyeh pointed out that it is in the interest of the United States "to reach agreements," adding that its ability to pressure "Israel" has become very limited.

He said that Netanyahu can blackmail the US administration, due to the upcoming US presidential elections, emphasizing that US pressure on "Israel" to stop its aggression is not "serious".

The Prime Minister said that it is in Netanyahu's interest to carry on the war for as long as possible, as it ensures he stays in power, stressing that even if a deal is reached, he doubts that "Israel" will fully abide by its provisions because of its historical failure to do so.

Shtayyeh pointed out that Netanyahu's interests do not align with stopping the war, even though he has not achieved any of its declared goals. He emphasized that Netanyahu "destroyed Gaza, killed our children, and managed to make it uninhabitable once again."

We want a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip

As for the day after the war on Gaza, Shtayyeh said, "We do not want the day after for Gaza but the day after for all Palestinian territories, especially the West Bank."

He called for a political path leading to a "two-state solution," adding that his government wants the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian premier affirmed that the Palestinian Authority (PA) did not leave the Gaza Strip, adding that the territory is an integral part of the State of Palestine.

Shtayyeh said that the PA has about 50,000 employees in Gaza, confirming that the return of the PA to the Strip should come after a Palestinian national consensus.

A Palestinian State is a necessity

Shtayyeh told Al Mayadeen that there is a deliberate war not only on the Palestinian State and the Palestinian people but on Palestinian identity.

He added, "We are tired of talking about the peace process, and we are not ready to go through a political path we have been through for 30 years."

He stressed the need for the world to recognize the State of Palestine with its "1967 borders", its capital al-Quds, and the right of return for refugees through an international conference leading to recognition of the State of Palestine.

Palestinian-Palestinian agreements are essential

He emphasized that Palestinian-Palestinian agreements should be completed.

"We cannot continue in the case of division," Shtayyeh said.

"Our hands and hearts are open, and President Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) will visit Qatar soon, and we are ready to continue the dialogue," Shtayyeh revealed.

The Palestinian Prime Minister revealed that the PA had earlier initiated dialogue with the Hamas movement in the Egyptian city of Al-Alamein and that a follow-up committee was formed, expressing his desire for this committee to start its work immediately to achieve a comprehensive national vision.

According to Shtayyeh, through this vision, an agreement would be reached on a political program and tools for struggle against the occupation until liberation.

Regarding Hamas' request to join the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Shtayyeh said that Hamas did not explicitly request that, emphasizing that any party aspiring to liberate Palestine must operate within the framework of the PLO and adhere to its program.

He stressed that the reconstruction of Gaza requires a plan in collaboration with the World Bank, the European Union, and the United Nations, specifying that this plan should consist of three pillars: relief, reconstruction, and economic revitalization.

He also stressed the need for a cohesive national effort to address challenges.

"We reject guardianship over Gaza," Shtayyeh said in response to ongoing talks between foreign actors, regarding a military guardianship over the Gaza Strip.

Read more: Exclusive: Top Palestinian officials reveal details of Hamas' response

'Israel' financially sieges the West Bank

On another note, Shtayyeh pointed to an oppressive policy implemented by the Israeli occupation's government, in which it cut off key funds to the PA.

Shtayyeh said, "We are under an Israeli financial siege... The Palestinian Authority needs to activate the Arab financial safety net."

He explained that the financial siege began under the pretext that the PA pays salaries and aid to the families of prisoners and martyrs, which laid the groundwork for Israeli accusations that the PA "encourages terrorism."

"Despite that, we continued to help our children from the families of prisoners and martyrs, and this is a national, religious, and ethical commitment," he affirmed.

"We spend about $140 million monthly on the Gaza Strip, and this constitutes 35% of the Palestinian budget. The Israelis said that since you spend on Gaza, which is prohibited, we will cut off the money for you. Therefore, we demand the activation of the Arab financial safety net approved by successive Arab summits, which has not been implemented," he urged.

The Palestinian Prime Minister affirmed that an Arab effort is needed to rebuild the Gaza Strip, "especially since some Arab countries condition assistance in rebuilding Gaza on the existence of a political horizon."

On this point, Shtayyeh reiterated the need to conduct elections in Palestine in order to ensure the continuity of Palestine's national project.

Regarding Palestinian prisoner Marwan al-Barghouthi, a member of the Central Committee of the Fatah movement, Shtayyeh said, "We demand the release of prisoner Marwan and all prisoners from prisons before we outline the contours of the future."