A few days before the international conference set to address the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two-state solution, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas sent an official letter to the co-chairs of the conference, according to a source at the Élysée Palace.

In his letter, Abbas outlined the key steps necessary to end the war in Gaza and establish a just and lasting peace in the Middle East: “I emphasize the Palestinian people’s commitment to the two-state solution and to its peaceful implementation,” the letter stated.

“French President [Emmanuel] Macron received concrete and unprecedented commitments from the Palestinian Authority President reflecting a genuine willingness to advance toward the realization of the two-state solution.

“Despite tremendous challenges on the ground – particularly those arising from Israeli policies and their political, security, humanitarian, and financial consequences – the State of Palestine has adopted an ambitious reform agenda and made meaningful progress in its implementation, exceeding expectations,” the letter added.

Among these commitments are, notably: A condemnation of the terrorist acts carried out by Hamas on October 7 and a call for the immediate release of all hostages; the complete dismantling of Hamas, which will no longer have any role in governance; and support for the deployment of a protection/stabilization mission, including Arab and international forces, to assist Palestinian Authority security forces, ensure the safety of all parties, and oversee the enforcement of a permanent ceasefire.

Abbas: The PA is ready to assume governance over the Gaza strip

Regarding internal reforms, the letter calls for the continued implementation of comprehensive reforms within the Palestinian Authority and the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections within one year, under international supervision.

Abbas concluded his letter by stating: “The State of Palestine stands ready to assume sole governance and security responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, with Arab and international support. Hamas will no longer rule Gaza and must hand over its weapons and military capabilities to the Palestinian Security Forces, which will oversee their removal from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, with Arab and international support.”

The June conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, aims to advance the implementation of the two-state solution.

Israeli officials claim that the conference is intended to promote unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state – a claim France firmly denies.

“The primary goal of the document expected to emerge from the June conference is to formulate a broadly shared international vision for disarming Hamas, securing the release of all hostages, reforming the Palestinian Authority, and planning for the day after, including through the prospect of a two-state solution,” one senior French official told The Jerusalem Post last week.

The source added emphatically, “The June conference is not centered on recognizing a Palestinian state.”

Despite these assurances, suspicions persist in Israel that France’s statements are meant to placate concerns while quietly advancing the issue of unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state behind the scenes.