RAMALLAH: Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Gantz congratulated Abbas and the Palestinian people on the occasion of Eid al-Adha at the meeting on Thursday in the presidential office, according to a report from state media, Xinhua.
Gantz was informed by Abbas of the significance of forging a political horizon and upholding the agreements made in the peace treaties between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. According to the state media report, the Palestinian President urged Israel to halt any unilateral actions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem that "would lead to an escalation of animosity between the two parties." Palestinian leadership is "warmly welcomed" by US Vice President Joe Biden's impending visit to Israel and the Palestinian territory on July 13, Abbas said.
Gantz claimed that Israel is close to reaching a deal with Hamas that would see the release of some Palestinian inmates in exchange for the exchange of four Israeli hostages.
Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007, declared in 2017 that it has been holding two soldiers and four Israelis.
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