Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has expressed his unwavering commitment to visit the Gaza Strip, despite the ongoing conflict and the numerous challenges posed by the Israeli military actions in the region. Speaking before the Turkish parliament, Abbas emphasized the significance of Gaza to the Palestinian state, declaring, "Without Gaza there can be no Palestinian state." His remarks come amidst a devastating humanitarian crisis, with Gaza's Health Ministry reporting over 40,000 Palestinian deaths since October 7, 2023, a statistic that highlights the urgency of the situation.
Abbas's planned visit aims to unite the Palestinian leadership and bolster support for the Palestinian cause. He called upon the United Nations Security Council to facilitate his access to Gaza, underscoring the need for international intervention in the ongoing violence. Abbas's statements were echoed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian people and has condemned Israel's actions in Gaza as genocidal. Erdogan's government has also taken steps to boycott trade with Israel, further solidifying Turkey's stance against the ongoing conflict.
During his speech, Abbas criticized the international community for its silence regarding the atrocities in Gaza, urging for a collective response to stop the violence and ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need. He reiterated the importance of national unity among Palestinians, stating, "National unity is the shortest path to victory." As tensions continue to escalate in the region, Abbas's intentions to visit Gaza reflect a desire for solidarity and a call for action to address the dire humanitarian crisis affecting countless lives in the territory.
