PA chief 'Mahmoud Abbas' to visit Gaza after 17 years

TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (MNA) – Head of the Palestinian Authority (PA) Mahmoud Abbas wants to visit Gaza Strip after 17 years following the movements and contacts in the regional and international levels.

"Preparations are taking place for the Palestinian Authority head’s planned visit to Gaza [...] Palestinian officials are communicating with countries to get their support.”

Palestinian news agency “WAFA” on Sunday reported that Head of the Palestinian Authority (PA) Mahmoud Abbas has started his visit to the besieged Gaza Strip.

The visit of Mahmoud Abbas and members of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza Strip is done with the aim of accompanying the Palestinians in Gaza who are exposed to a "genocidal" war, the report added.

MNA

Palestinian authority requests Israeli permission for Mahmoud Abbas's visit to Gaza

2024-08-19 10:04

Shafaq News/ On Monday, the Palestinian Authority sent a letter to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, requesting permission for President Mahmoud Abbas to visit Gaza.

According to Axios correspondent Barak Ravid, citing Israeli officials, Netanyahu will need to decide whether to approve Abbas's visit to Gaza.

The Palestinian Authority announced, on Sunday, that it has been making international contacts and preparations for Abbas and other Palestinian leaders to visit the Gaza Strip. This visit aims to show solidarity with the people of Gaza, who have been enduring ongoing Israeli military actions for over 10 months, and to reaffirm the Palestinian Liberation Organization's (PLO) authority and responsibility, as well as to work towards restoring national unity, as reported by the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

WAFA reported that the Palestinian Authority is coordinating with the United Nations, permanent members of the Security Council, Arab and Islamic countries, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union, and the African Union to ensure the success of this initiative and to provide support and participation where possible. Israel has also been notified of this plan.

In a speech before the Turkish Parliament last Thursday, Abbas announced his intention to visit Gaza along with all members of the Palestinian leadership, calling for secure access to the region.