Abbas said to ask for international troops to enforce ceasefire

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will ask the Americans to “endorse sending international troops” to marshal a 48 hour ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank, according to an MEE source.

The source, who asked to remain anonymous, said Abbas believes his initiative will bring an end to fighting in Gaza.

The Palestinian president announced on Sunday that he will launch a “diplomatic bombshell” this week, after holding meetings with Egyptian officials in Cairo.

Elsewhere Haaretz have reported that Abbas will instead ask the UN to set a timetable for the end of Israel’s occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian state on 1967 border lines with East Jerusalem as a capital.

It remains unclear as to when Abbas will reveal his “surprise”.