RAMALLAH, West Bank / PNN/
Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh met Friday in Ramallah with Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov and his delegation to discuss political developments and efforts tied to the next phase of a U.S.-backed peace plan, Palestinian officials said.
The meeting, attended by Palestinian General Intelligence chief Majid Faraj, presidential diplomatic adviser Majdi al-Khaldi and deputy chief of staff Aya Muhesen, focused on preparations for implementing the second phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace initiative and U.N. Security Council Resolution 2803, ahead of an expected announcement of a U.S.-led Peace Council and its executive body.
Alsheikh said Palestinian priorities include consolidating the ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid, while moving forward with the next phase of the plan.
He stressed that Gaza is an integral part of the Palestinian state and underscored the need for political, administrative and legal integration between institutions in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, based on what he described as the principle of one governing authority, one legal system and one legitimate security force.
Discussions also addressed the role of the Palestinian Administrative Committee, police and security services in assuming responsibilities in Gaza under the authority of the Palestinian government.
Alsheikh said the second phase of the plan must include Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza, the dismantling of Hamas’ rule and weapons, and the launch of reconstruction efforts in line with the U.S. plan and the U.N. resolution.
He also called for an end to what he described as unilateral Israeli actions that violate international law, including settlement expansion, settler violence and the withholding of Palestinian tax revenues.
Alsheikh reiterated Palestinian support for the U.S. plan and said the Palestinian leadership is prepared to work toward a negotiated peace that would allow a Palestinian state and Israel to exist side by side in security and peace, officials said.
