Bulgaria follows with great concern what is happening in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Our country strongly condemns the terrorist attack by "Hamas" against the State of Israel on October 7 last year, as well as any manifestation of terrorism. At the same time, Bulgaria in no way accepts the situation in which thousands of civilians, women and children are dying, and one million people in the Gaza Strip are threatened by a humanitarian catastrophe. This was stated by President Rumen Radev in a telephone conversation with the President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas.

Bulgaria is part of the decision of the European Council of March 20 this year for an immediate humanitarian pause, which would lead to a permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian aid, the president pointed out. Rumen Radev expressed hope that reason will prevail for the sake of the future of the people of Palestine and Israel and for finding a peaceful solution based on the principle of two states, in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

During the conversation, President Radev called on his counterpart to support the efforts to rescue the Bulgarian sailors on the "Galaxy Leader" ship detained off the coast of Yemen. President Abbas expressed the readiness of Palestine to provide assistance in this direction in accordance with its capabilities.

Mahmoud Abbas expressed his high appreciation for the traditionally friendly relations between Bulgaria and Palestine, as well as for Bulgaria's principled position in support of the cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, the release of hostages, and the provision of free access to humanitarian aid for the distressed population in the Gaza Strip and to seek a peaceful solution based on the two-state principle.