LONDON: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has praised US President Donald Trump for his efforts to achieve a ceasefire between Iran and Israel and prevent a potential full-scale war in the Middle East.

In a letter, Abbas also called on the US president to stop the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, which began in October 2023 and which has resulted in the killing of more than 54,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and the displacement of millions. 

He said a US-sponsored ceasefire in Gaza would “give hope to the peoples of the region that peace can be achieved and that justice can prevail, if the will and leadership you represent are present.”

He added the Palestinian Authority was prepared to collaborate with the US, Saudi Arabia and other Arab, Islamic and European nations to achieve a just and comprehensive peace between Palestinians and Israelis. It was prepared to negotiate to end the Israeli occupation and create a Palestinian state, he said.

“With you, we can achieve what seemed impossible: a recognized, free, sovereign and secure Palestine; a recognized and secure Israel; and a region that enjoys peace, prosperity, and integration,” Abbas wrote.

“We are filled with hope and confidence in your ability to create a new history for our region, restoring the peace that has been lost for generations.”