Palestine’s President Abbas says ready to govern Gaza after ceasefire deal

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (right) greets supporters at a campaign rally in Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, years before the Israeli invasion of the besieged territory [File: Mohammed Saber/EPA]

Palestine’s President Mahmoud Abbas has said that the Palestinian Authority (PA) was ready to assume “full responsibility” in post-war Gaza, in his first statement since a ceasefire deal was announced between Israel and Hamas.

“The Palestinian government, under president Abbas’ directives, has completed all preparations to assume full responsibility in Gaza,” a presidency statement said on Friday.