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LONDON: During a meeting with British doctors in London on Monday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas praised UK authorities for their plan to recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly this month.

Several British medical professionals have worked in Palestinian hospitals during the nearly two years of ongoing Israeli military attacks in the Gaza Strip, which senior EU officials recently described as genocidal acts.

Abbas said the Palestinian government will present the British doctors and medical volunteers who worked in Gaza with medals in appreciation of their dedication to serving humanity, the Wafa news agency reported.

The president arrived in Britain on Sunday evening for a three-day state visit to the UK, during which he will meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the newly appointed foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, to discuss efforts to achieve a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

On Monday, he said the Palestinian Authority was prepared to take on its responsibilities in postwar Gaza and provide essential services during recovery and reconstruction in the territory.

The UK government previously announced its intention to officially recognize Palestine as a state during the UN gathering this month, unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza and to engage in discussions over a two-state solution to the wider conflict with the Palestinians.

Abbas will also discuss with Starmer “efforts for the upcoming international conference on the two-state solution … as well as the anticipated British recognition of the State of Palestine,” Wafa reported.

DUBAI: The international community condemned a deadly shooting attack in East Jerusalem on Monday that killed at least five people and injured around 15 others, calling for an end to violence and renewed efforts toward peace in the region.

Paramedics said the attack occurred when two assailants opened fire at a bus stop at a busy intersection in north Jerusalem. Six of the injured are in a serious condition. 

Police reported that the attackers also boarded a bus and opened fire inside, targeting civilians waiting at the stop.

In response, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its “strong condemnation of these terrorist acts” and reiterated its rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism that aim to destabilize security and stability. 

The ministry offered its condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to Israel and its people, and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

The Palestinian presidency reiterated its firm stance rejecting and condemning any targeting of Palestinian and Israeli civilians, denouncing all forms of violence and terrorism regardless of their source. 

It stressed that security and stability in the region could not be achieved without ending the occupation, halting acts of genocide in Gaza, and stopping settler violence across the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem. 

The presidency emphasized that the attainment of the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights to an independent and sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital, alongside the achievement of security and peace for all, was key to ending the cycle of violence.

The European Union, France, and Germany also issued strong statements condemning the attack. 

EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni called for de-escalation and a ceasefire, while French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that only a political solution could restore peace and stability. 

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described the incident as a “cowardly terror attack” and offered condolences to the victims’ families, wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.

The deadly incident underscores the ongoing tensions in the region amid the war in Gaza and highlights the urgent need to halt the cycle of violence.