RABAT, November 3. /TASS/. During a phone conversation with Pope Francis, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized the importance of establishing permanent humanitarian corridors to deliver international aid to the people of the Gaza Strip as quickly as possible.
"The President stressed the urgency of establishing permanent humanitarian corridors for the delivery of medical and food supplies and the provision of water and electricity into Gaza," Palestine’s WAFA news agency reported.
Abbas condemned Israel’s attacks on civilians "in their homes, hospitals, and schools," as well as "the demolition of buildings with their occupants inside." He described these actions as "heinous crimes that must immediately stop."
"President Abbas also reiterated the firm rejection of the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, the West Bank, or Jerusalem. He also emphasized the importance of implementing a political solution based on international legitimacy to achieve freedom, independence, and sovereignty for the Palestinian people," WAFA said.
Abbas also "expressed his appreciation for the role and efforts of Pope Francis in supporting peace-building endeavors in the region."
In turn, Pope Francis expressed his "deep sadness for the civilian casualties," assuring Abbas that they would stay in touch "for further consultations and assistance."
He "emphasized the importance of achieving peace and ending the war in this region and around the world, as well as the urgent need to provide humanitarian assistance to all in a timely manner," the agency reported.
Tensions in the Middle East flared up again on October 7 after militants from the radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of border communities and taking people, including women, children and the elderly, hostage. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. Israel announced a total blockade of Gaza and launched ground operations in the enclave, also carrying out air strikes on targets in the Strip, as well as on certain areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.