“Hope Peace Prevails Between Us, Israel”: Palestinian President Welcomes Gaza Deal

By Orlin Milinov

Ramallah / Jerusalem:
In a rare and conciliatory address broadcast Thursday on Israel’s Channel 12, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas expressed optimism that the newly signed Gaza ceasefire agreement could pave the way for lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

“What happened today is a historic moment,” Abbas said. “We have been hoping — and continue to hope — that we can bring an end to the bloodshed taking place in our land, whether in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, or East Jerusalem. Today, we are very happy that the bloodshed has ceased. We hope it remains this way, and that peace, security, and stability will prevail between us and Israel.”

A Message of Reconciliation

Abbas’s remarks came hours after the signing of US President Donald Trump’s ‘Comprehensive End of Gaza War’ peace deal, which calls for an immediate ceasefire, phased troop withdrawal, and a humanitarian relief effort across Gaza.

The interview, conducted in Hebrew but answered in Arabic, marked one of the few direct communications by a Palestinian leader on Israeli television in recent years. Analysts viewed it as a symbolic gesture toward rebuilding trust following decades of mutual hostility and intermittent violence.

On Reforms and Trump’s 20-Point Plan

When asked whether the Palestinian Authority (PA) had begun implementing the reforms outlined in Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace framework, Abbas confirmed that “the reform process was already underway.”

“I want to say honestly — we have launched reforms,” he told the interviewer. “These reforms include the salaries to prisoners that we agreed with the US and which the US approved.”

The controversial “martyrs’ payments”—long criticized by Israel and the United States as “pay-to-slay” incentives—were restructured earlier this year under heavy diplomatic pressure. Abbas announced the change in February, adjusting payments to ensure compliance with international aid conditions while maintaining welfare support for families affected by the conflict.

“This was not an easy step,” Abbas noted, acknowledging internal opposition from Palestinian factions who viewed the policy shift as a concession.

Broader Reform Efforts Underway

Beyond the financial changes, Abbas detailed a series of institutional reforms spanning education, the economy, healthcare, and the security sector.

“Some have already been completed, and others are ongoing,” he said, “until the Palestinian Authority becomes a model capable of continuing to lead the Palestinian people.”

Trump and several international partners have emphasized that meaningful PA reform is a prerequisite for Palestinian statehood recognition under the broader post-war peace framework.

Path to Palestinian Statehood

According to Trump’s 20-point peace plan, once the Gaza reconstruction begins and PA reforms are credibly implemented, conditions will be “in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”

The document explicitly recognizes “the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people”, framing governance reform as essential for international legitimacy and long-term peace.

Diplomatic observers say Abbas’s remarks suggest an openness to engage more deeply with Washington’s peace architecture, though skepticism remains high among Palestinians who doubt the US’s neutrality after years of perceived pro-Israel bias.

A Fragile but Hopeful Moment

Thursday’s interview concluded with a message of unity.
“I extend my hand in peace to every Israeli father, mother, and child,” Abbas said. “We do not want another generation of fear. We want a generation of hope.”

While deep mistrust still divides both sides, Abbas’s words — delivered in a joint broadcast watched across the region — signal what some are calling a “rare window of optimism” after two years of war and humanitarian devastation.