Ramallah: Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa held talks in Ramallah with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis to discuss Israel's war on Gaza and efforts to ensure the success of a planned peace conference in New York.
According to Anadolu Agency, a statement from the Palestinian premier's office indicated that the discussions focused on efforts to halt what was described as 'the Israeli genocide on Gaza' and the urgent need to provide humanitarian and relief aid to the territory. They also explored efforts to guarantee the success of a peace conference co-organized by France and Saudi Arabia in New York, scheduled for June 17-20.
Prime Minister Mustafa expressed hope that the peace conference would lead to practical outcomes, such as preserving the two-state solution, securing more international recognition for the State of Palestine, and providing economic and financial support. Mustafa emphasized the importance of development and institutional reform as part of these efforts and called for greater Swiss intervention based on their commitment to the two-state solution.
Swiss Foreign Minister Cassis reiterated the importance of immediate, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza in accordance with International Humanitarian Law. He stressed that diplomacy must be resumed urgently, with a negotiated two-state solution being the only path to achieving peace, security, and dignity for all parties involved.
The Israeli army's offensive against Gaza, which began in October 2023, has resulted in the deaths of nearly 55,000 Palestinians, including a significant number of women and children. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israel has maintained its military operations and closed all border crossings to humanitarian aid since early March. This has led aid agencies to warn about the potential for famine among Gaza's 2.4 million residents.
In a related development, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.