Palestine, Germany explore ways to strengthen relief efforts in besieged Gaza

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa held talks on Tuesday with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to discuss ways to strengthen relief efforts in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The discussions between the two sides in the West Bank city of Ramallah also dwelt on means of ending Israel’s ongoing onslaught on the Palestinian enclave, the prime minister’s office said in a statement.

Mustafa said UN Security Council resolution 2735 “is a good start to reach a cease-fire and ensure the delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip.”

The premier also underscored the importance of doubling efforts “to stop all actions and incursions of the Israeli occupation” and settler attacks in the West Bank.

The Palestinian government “has never left the Gaza Strip, and has been responsible for providing it with all services,” he said.

For her part, Baerbock stressed the importance “of continuing joint American, European and Arab efforts to reach a solution to the conflict and achieve the two-state solution.”

The German foreign minister also emphasized her country’s ongoing efforts to release Palestinian tax funds withheld by Israel.

Tensions have been high across the occupied West Bank since Israel launched a deadly military offensive against the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 37,600 victims since Oct. 7.

At least 553 Palestinians have since been killed, including 133 children, and nearly 5,300 injured by Israeli army fire in the West Bank, according to the Health Ministry.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, whose latest ruling ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its military operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala