French and Palestinian leaders to discuss Gaza truce implementation and Palestinian Authority reforms in Paris meeting.
PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in Paris on Tuesday to discuss the full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The Elysee Palace confirmed the leaders will address next steps in the peace plan, particularly regarding security, governance and reconstruction.
This meeting occurs one month into a fragile truce between Hamas and Israel following two years of conflict.
The ceasefire was triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack that killed 1,221 people in Israel, mostly civilians.
Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed more than 69,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry.
Abbas leads the Palestinian Authority, which controls parts of the West Bank and is considered for governance role in Gaza.
Macron’s September recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN will also feature in discussions.
The French president is expected to emphasise maintaining humanitarian aid access to Gaza.
Reforming the Palestinian Authority remains essential for establishing a democratic Palestinian state.
US President Donald Trump brokered the October 10 ceasefire that has faced recent testing.
Trump anticipates an International Stabilisation Force will deploy to Gaza soon.
The Palestinian Authority previously praised Macron’s statehood recognition as historic and courageous.
Gaza’s health ministry figures are considered reliable by United Nations officials.
The ministry does not specify how many fighters are included in the death toll. – AFP
