PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Advisor on Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations Mahmoud Al-Habbash: "Over 70% of the residents of the Gaza Strip are Palestinian refugees who arrived in 1948 from historical Palestine (i.e., Israel). A simple, practical, and just solution that will lead to peace is that these Palestinians – and I am among them – will return to our cities and our villages from which our fathers and grandfathers were expelled in 1948...This is how we will truly create a strong basis for a just and comprehensive peace, real coexistence, and true cooperation between all elements of this region, including even the Israelis, and then peace, security, stability, and prosperity will flourish for everyone."
[PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Advisor on Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations Mahmoud Al-Habbash, YouTube channel, Feb. 5, 2025]
Al-Habbash's statement is a reaction to a plan for Gaza put forth by US President Donald Trump: