RAMALLAH, Jul 8 (NNN-WAFA) – Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, yesterday met with Israeli Minister of Defence, Benny Gantz, in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
During the meeting, at the presidential headquarters, Gantz extended congratulations to Abbas and the Palestinian people, on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.
Abbas explained to Gantz the importance of creating a political horizon and respecting the peace agreements signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
The Palestinian president urged Israel to stop all unilateral measures in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, “which would lead to an escalation of tension between the two sides.”
Abbas added that, U.S. President, Joe Biden’s upcoming visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories on Jul 13, is “warmly welcomed by the Palestinian leadership.”
Gantz said, Israel is working on finalising a prisoners’ swap deal with the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), to exchange four Israeli captives for the release of certain Palestinians from Israeli jails.
In 2017, Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip since 2007, announced that it had been holding four Israelis, including two soldiers.
