CAIRO, November 4, 2024 (WAFA) - President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized that the Israeli occupation significantly hinders sustainable urban development across more than 60% of the West Bank and throughout East Jerusalem.

Addressing the 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Cairo, President Abbas said the occupation is committing acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing, having destroyed over 80% of the housing, facilities, hospitals and schools in the Gaza Strip, while also engaging in land and natural resource theft in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

The president urged the international community to hold the occupying state, Israel, accountable and punish it for its crimes and actions it is committing as a state above international law.

President Abbas emphasized the need to hold the occupying state accountable for its failure to fulfill its obligations upon gaining UN membership in 1949 and for not adhering to General Assembly resolutions 181 and 194, which he stressed necessitates taking appropriate measures against it.

The president emphasized that the implementation of relevant UN resolutions, especially the recent General Assembly decision on the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion, along with granting Palestine full UN membership, are essential for achieving justice and stability in the region.

The president stressed the urgent need to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2735, which calls for an immediate ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of occupation forces from Gaza.

President Abbas highlighted the necessity of providing aid and shelter to displaced persons in preparation for reconstruction, as well as allowing Palestine to fully assume its responsibilities in the Strip.

The President stressed that the establishment of security and peace would open up significant opportunities for the implementation of sustainable urban development programs in Palestine, in accordance with UN objectives, and the achievement of resilience and sustainability.

T.R.