Quartet hails efforts to achieve Palestinian reconciliation

Envoys of the Middle East quartet today welcomed efforts being exerted to achieve internal Palestinian reconciliation, noting that this would facilitate EU support for the coastal enclave.

In a statement which was seen by MEMO the Quartet said: “The envoys of the Middle East Quartet from the Russian Federation, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations welcome efforts, including those of Egypt, to create the conditions for the Palestinian Authority to assume its responsibilities in Gaza.”

The statement also said that the Quartet called for the Palestinian parties to “take concrete steps to reunite Gaza and the West Bank under the legitimate Palestinian Authority.”

“This will facilitate lifting the closures of the crossings, while addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns, and unlock international support for Gaza’s growth, stability and prosperity, which is critical for efforts to reach lasting peace.”

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“The Quartet envoys stand ready to engage with Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the region in support of this process.”

Concluding the statement, the envoys of the Quartet said that the “emphasise that the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza, most notably the crippling electricity crisis and its impact on health, social and economic well-being of the population, must be addressed.”

“The Quartet encourages the international community to act accordingly,” it added.