Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in Cairo, marking their first meeting since the Syrian power transition. They focused on Gaza reconstruction and opposing U.S. proposals on Palestinian displacement. Both leaders reinforced the importance of Gaza as part of Palestine and condemned Israeli territorial encroachments. Their discussions emphasize the need for diplomatic unity in the face of geopolitical challenges.
In a significant diplomatic event, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in Cairo for the first time since the Syrian power shift in December. This meeting took place during an urgent Arab summit focused on reconstructing the Gaza Strip and opposing U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal pertaining to Palestinian displacement in Gaza.
During their discussions, Abbas and Al-Sharaa addressed the ongoing situation in the occupied West Bank, asserting that Gaza remains an essential part of Palestinian land. Abbas emphasized the need for a sustained ceasefire in Gaza and called for humanitarian aid as well as the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area.
Both leaders expressed their opposition to Israeli policies perceived as threatening their territorial integrity, reflecting concerns over the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and plans to annex parts of Palestinian territory, which could undermine the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The context of this meeting is heightened by recent territorial changes following the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime, with Israeli forces occupying strategic locations in southern Syria, including Mount Hermon, thus breaking a long-standing agreement in the region. Participating in the meeting alongside Abbas and Al-Sharaa were Hussein Al-Sheikh, the secretary-general of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, and Diab Al-Louh, the Palestinian ambassador to Egypt.
This meeting between President Abbas and President Al-Sharaa signifies a pivotal moment in Palestinian-Syrian relations and highlights the urgent need for solidarity against Israeli policies. Their discussions on Gaza and the West Bank reflect broader concerns regarding territorial integrity and the ongoing humanitarian crisis, influenced by geopolitical changes in the region.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
