Trump vows to address Gaza conflict in call with Palestinian leader Abbas

US President-elect Donald Trump, in a phone conversation with Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, promised to address the issue of ending the war in the Gaza Strip.

Abbas released a statement after the call, congratulating Trump on his election victory, wishing him success as head of state, and reaffirming his willingness to work with him toward a "just and comprehensive peace based on international legitimacy and principles," Caliber.Az reports via Axios.

The statement from the Palestinian leader noted that in response, Trump emphasized his commitment to ending the war and reaffirmed his readiness to collaborate with President Abbas as well as other regional and global stakeholders in efforts to achieve peace in the region.

Axios pointed out the significance of this conversation, as Abbas and Trump had not been in contact since Trump's presidency, particularly after he recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moved the US embassy there. The call is seen as a new indication that the Palestinian leadership is seeking a fresh start with Trump after four years.

In a separate development, French President Emmanuel Macron also spoke with Trump after his election victory, urging him to seek "real concessions" from Russia in any negotiations over the Ukraine conflict. According to The Wall Street Journal, Macron pressed Trump in a 25-minute call to ensure that any diplomacy with Russia would result in tangible concessions from the Kremlin. Macron had also told EU counterparts at a dinner in Budapest on November 7 that it was crucial for the EU to ensure Russia does not win the conflict and expand further.

Trump, who was elected the 47th president of the US on November 6, secured 277 electoral votes needed for victory. His win marked a remarkable comeback after refusing to accept his defeat four years earlier, inciting a violent insurrection at the US Capitol, being convicted on felony charges, and surviving two assassination attempts.

By Tamilla Hasanova