August 18, 2026
I exchanged views with Ambassador Waleed Siam, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to Japan, regarding the situation in Gaza and the future approach to peace and reconstruction. Following are my thoughts based on this meeting.
The transition of security and governance in Gaza should be advanced based on a comprehensive political agreement led by the Palestinians themselves. In that process, the role of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the political agreement within Palestine must be respected. Regarding the weapons of armed groups, including Hamas, it is important to proceed carefully while establishing an institutional framework on the Palestinian side responsible for the registration, storage, and disposal of weapons, in conjunction with the phased withdrawal of the Israeli military, the stable resumption of humanitarian assistance, and neutral international monitoring and verification.
Furthermore, I believe it is important that any international framework respects the will of the Palestinian people and international law, and supports their right to self-determination and autonomous governance. Under such principles, it is necessary to move toward the end of the occupation, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the stable implementation of humanitarian assistance, the reconstruction of Gaza, and the restoration of Palestinian political unity. Japan, too, should continue its diplomatic efforts to create the conditions under which the Palestinian people can determine their own future and to achieve sustainable peace.
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