On May 26, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy and Security, Josep Borelj, hosted Palestinian leader Mohamed Mustafa for international talks on strengthening the Palestinian Authority in order to eventually take over power in Gaza from Hamas.
The EU and the US have declared Hamas a terrorist organization.
A "strong" Palestinian Authority is needed to achieve peace in the Middle East, Borelj said shortly before the meeting with Mustafa, adding that a "functional Palestinian Authority" is also in Israel's interest.
Borelj also said that Israel must abide by the decision of the highest court of the United Nations and stop its offensive on the city of Rafah in the south of Gaza.
Mustafa said the May 26 meeting was a "very important opportunity" for the Palestinian Authority to outline its priorities and plans.
He said that the "first priority" is to support the Palestinians in Gaza, with a ceasefire, and then to "restore the institutions of the Palestinian Authority" in that territory, over which Hamas took control in 2007.
He also called on international partners to pressure Israel to release funds from the so-called Palestinian Authority so that "we can be ready to reform our institutions... and hopefully sustain our efforts towards statehood and peace in the region together."
The Brussels meeting, focused on international aid, was chaired by Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Bart Ejde, in line with his country's role in the 1993 Oslo Accords that established a series of arrangements between the Palestinians and Israel.
Spanish foreign minister on "justice for the Palestinian people"
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said in a meeting with Palestinian leader Mohamed Mustafa on May 26 that recognizing the state of Palestine is "justice for the Palestinian people (and) the best guarantee of security for Israel."
Welcoming the move by Spain, Norway and Ireland to recognize a Palestinian state on Tuesday, Mustafa said: "We want all countries in Europe to do the same."
Israel has warned Spain, Norway and Ireland that they will face "serious consequences" for their announced recognition of a Palestinian state.
Israel's strikes in Gaza in retaliation for the October 7 attack by Hamas gave impetus to countries to recognize Palestine.
Most UN member states recognize Palestinian statehood. EU countries are divided on the issue.
Spain, Norway and Italy will join EU countries Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Sweden that have recognized Palestine.
US President Joe Biden believes a Palestinian state should be achieved through negotiations, not unilateral recognition, the White House said after Ireland, Spain and Norway said they would recognize a Palestinian state.
Netanyahu opposes ending the war
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on May 26 that he is "strongly opposed" to ending the war in Gaza, ahead of a meeting of his war cabinet to hammer out a deal on a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
A statement from Netanyahu's office ahead of the meeting said that the head of Hamas in Gaza "continues to demand an end to the war, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip and leaving Hamas where it is, so that it can carry out the crimes again and again since October 7," referring to the attack that started the war.
"Prime Minister Netanyahu strongly opposes it," the statement said.
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