Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Feb 4, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

RAMALLAH/AMMAN - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday urged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to step up international efforts to stop the ongoing Israeli "aggression" against the Palestinian people.

Abbas made the remarks during his meeting at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah with the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

Abbas called on Guterres to continue his personal efforts and intensify international efforts "to withdraw Israeli occupation forces from the entire Gaza Strip and not to confiscate any inch of its land", WAFA reported.

Abbas underlined the need to ensure an increase in humanitarian aid, relief materials, and shelter for the Palestinians.

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He also stressed the importance of preventing the displacement of Palestinians and stopping all attacks by "occupation forces and settlers", as well as the release of all Palestinian clearance funds.

Abbas said it was important to achieve full membership for the State of Palestine in the United Nations through a decision of the Security Council and holding an international peace conference to ensure the withdrawal of Israelis from Palestine.

The French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne stressed that the UNRWA plays a crucial and essential role in Gaza, particularly as the humanitarian situation worsens in Gaza, noting that France has not halted its support for the organization 

Also on Sunday, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi stressed the importance of the international community's continued support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), saying it plays an indispensable role in assisting Palestinian refugees, especially in the war-torn Gaza.

The Jordanian minister made the remarks at a meeting in Amman with French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, during which the two sides discussed efforts to achieve a complete ceasefire in Gaza, ensure the protection of civilians, and deliver sufficient and sustainable humanitarian aid throughout the region, according to a statement by the ministry.

READ MORE: UN warns of deepening crisis in Gaza as donor support wanes

The Jordanian minister praised France's supportive stance for the two-state solution, and expressed appreciation for France's continued support for the UNRWA, especially under the current circumstances.

This handout picture released by the Jordanian Foreign Ministry on Feb 4, 2024, shows Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (right) meeting with French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne in the capital Amman. (PHOTO / JORDANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY VIA AFP)

For his part, the French minister stressed that the UNRWA plays a crucial and essential role in Gaza, particularly as the humanitarian situation worsens in Gaza, noting that France has not halted its support for the organization.

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A number of UNRWA donors, including Canada, Australia, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Estonia, Japan, Austria and Romania, have recently joined the United States in pausing funding for UNRWA after Israel accused several employees of the agency of involvement in the attack of Gaza-ruling Hamas on southern Israel on Oct 7 last year.

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Given the serious accusations leveled against the UNRWA, the agency must demonstrate the highest level of transparency, Sejourne said, adding France welcomes the immediate measures taken by the agency, and now awaits the results of the investigation to ensure full confidence in its operations.