The Palestinian Islamist movement "Hamas" "must relinquish control" of the Gaza Strip and lay down its arms, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa told the UN General Assembly, Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
"We declare that the State of Palestine is ready to assume full responsibility for governance and security in Gaza, with Arab and international support", he said. "Hamas" must hand over control of the Gaza Strip and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority", Mustafa added, confirming commitments made in June by President Mahmoud Abbas in a letter to France and Saudi Arabia. This week, the two countries are co-chairing a conference in New York on a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict.
"Only a two-state political solution can meet the legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. There is no other alternative", French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told the conference today.
"After 22 months of failed attempts, it is illusory to hope for a lasting ceasefire without a common vision for the post-war period in Gaza, without a political horizon and an alternative to the state of permanent war," he stressed.
Earlier today, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Germany and Jordan would organize a "humanitarian airlift to Gaza", with the aim of helping the population of the territory, which according to the UN is facing "alarming levels" of malnutrition.
"Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will work closely with France and Britain, who are also ready to organize such an airlift to deliver food and medical supplies," the chancellor added during a press conference in Berlin.
Merz is expected to meet Jordanian King Abdullah II today.
The German chancellor, who is one of Israel's staunchest supporters in the war against the Palestinian Islamist movement "Hamas", called on Israel "to immediately, comprehensively and permanently improve the catastrophic humanitarian situation" in Gaza.