There is an opportunity to reach a truce if Israel abandons its intransigence

Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina stressed that the goal of the sea corridor to be established to deliver aid to Gaza should not be displacement, and stressed that the first goal of the Palestinian Authority is to stop the war on Gaza and speed up the entry of aid.

Abu Rudeina told the Arab World News Agency on Thursday: “The sea corridor should not be aimed at displacement, and there are five corridors with Gaza and we can deliver food supplies… Thank you to everyone who wants to provide aid to Gaza, but it should not be a cause of displacement.” Or to create a reality that we are not satisfied with.”

The United States, Cyprus, the UAE, Britain, Qatar, and the European Union issued a joint statement today in which they affirmed that there is no alternative to land routes through Egypt, Jordan, and entry points from Israel to Gaza to deliver aid on a large scale.

The statement, which was published by the US State Department regarding ministerial consultations to push the establishment of a sea corridor to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, added that opening the port of Ashdod to humanitarian aid would be welcome and an important element that complements the sea corridor that is being worked to establish.

In a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today, Jordanian King Abdullah II stressed the necessity of coordination to avoid “any possible escalation” in Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque.

A statement issued by the Jordanian Royal Court said that King Abdullah reiterated “the necessity of reaching a ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible, to alleviate the suffering of the brothers in the Strip and ensure the delivery of urgent aid.”

Abu Rudeina said that the Palestinian President “tells all Arabs in his daily contacts with Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE that the first goal that we must strive for is to stop the aggression and quickly bring in aid.”

He stated that the Palestinian position is consistent with the current Egyptian position on preventing displacement, pointing out that Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi spoke on this issue and “stressed the necessity of not allowing any form of displacement.”

He continued: “For us, we must stop the aggression and stop the displacement, and not divide things, because the solution is not only how to end the war in Gaza, there is also a war in the West Bank and in Jerusalem, especially since Israel has now placed many obstacles in front of those praying in Al-Aqsa Mosque, in addition to the daily attacks.” And the killings that occur in Jenin, Nablus and in the camps.”

He added, “But the problem now is that the American administration allows Israel to continue the aggression and wants to turn the issue into a humanitarian issue, such as sending some food aid, whether by sea or any other way.”

The Palestinian presidency spokesman stressed that “aid is necessary, important, and appreciated by whoever provides it, but the issue is much bigger than that. What must stop first is the daily killings and ongoing famine in Gaza, and then we will discuss the rest of the issues beyond Gaza.”

Abu Rudeina said that part of the current efforts and movements is to “not allow another massacre to occur in Rafah,” adding: “Efforts are continuing, and we hope that these efforts will continue to prevent this.”

The presidential spokesman considered the Israeli threats to launch a ground operation in Rafah “public and real threats,” and said that the Palestinian Authority takes them seriously.

He added: “The American administration must be more serious and force Israel to stop the aggression… Israel cannot say no to America if the latter is serious… The war must be stopped in any way, and then we will discuss all the issues.”

Abu Rudeina warned that if Israel launched a ground operation in Rafah, “the danger of displacement will remain, more massacres will occur, and matters will reach a point of no return, and the war may expand to include what remains of the Arab region, especially since there are serious skirmishes on the Lebanese borders, the Golan, and Yemen.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed today that the army will enter Rafah in southern Gaza, and expressed his rejection of any international pressure aimed at dissuading Israel from its goal.

Netanyahu said during a visit to an Israeli army base: “There is international pressure to prevent us from entering Rafah and completing the mission, and as Prime Minister of Israel, I reject the pressure.”