RAMALLAH, January 13, 2009 (WAFA) – The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said, Tuesday, that the priority now is to stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza. He stated, 'we demanded an end to the aggression, and it must stop. Israel must withdraw from the Palestinian Territory, must break the siege, open the crossing points and end the suffering of the Palestinian people.

He added in the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee meeting, which he chaired, that, 'our brothers in Egypt are doing of their best to put an end to the aggression on Gaza.'

On his side, the Secretary of the PLO Executive Committee Yasser Abed Rabbo, said that the Palestinian leadership together with the Palestinian Government decided to announce Gaza a disaster area.

He added in a press conference held in Ramallah after the PLO Executive Committee meeting, that they will take the necessary measures to get the Gaza Strip out of this crisis.

Abed Rabbo noted that the Palestinian Government will do anything to help Gaza, considering this a national duty.