In the latest sign of a deepening internal fracture within the Palestinian leadership, President Mahmoud Abbas has launched an unprecedented verbal attack on Hamas, calling them “sons of dogs” and demanding they release hostages, disarm, and cede control of Gaza to his Palestinian Authority (PA).
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday called for an international peace conference to be held under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), the US, Russia, China, the European Union, Japan, South Africa and Brazil, aiming to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region.
The Palestinian-Israeli peace process has been stalled since April 2014, after the US had sponsored the peace negotiations for nine months without making any tangible progress due to deep differences on borders, security, and Israeli settlement.
Sunday’s meeting between Benny Gantz and Mahmoud Abbas signaled a possible shift of direction after the near-complete breakdown of communication between Abbas and Israeli leaders in recent years.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has planned to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank as well as the strategic Jordan Valley.
The Palestine leader also accused Israel of turning its back to the signed agreements that had been reached with the country's side.
Tens of thousands of Palestinian workers, who work in Israel, were expected to return to their homes in the West Bank due to the Jewish holidays that will start next week.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to make a statement at the briefing.
On Monday, Abbas is scheduled to head to the US and address the Security Council on the peace plan on Tuesday.
On January 28, President Trump unveiled his long-awaited Middle East peace plan, envisaging a two-state solution but keeping Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital.
