Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called on Hamas to disarm and hand over control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority, emphasizing that Hamas will have no role in governing the territory under a future Palestinian administration. Abbas made the remarks via video link to a UN summit on the two-state solution, after being denied a visa to attend in person by the United States.

Key Points:

– Disarmament and Governance: Abbas urged Hamas to surrender its weapons to the Palestinian Authority and transform into a political party, promoting a unified Palestinian leadership capable of negotiating peace.
– Condemnation of Hamas Attack: Abbas condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, stating that it gave Israel a pretext to destroy Gaza and caused significant harm to the Palestinian people.
– Call for Hostage Release: Abbas also called on Hamas to release all hostages still being held in Gaza, saying their captivity provided Israel with excuses to attack the territory.
– International Pressure: Abbas’s remarks come amid growing international pressure for a unified Palestinian leadership to negotiate peace and stabilize the region.

Reactions:

– Hamas has not yet responded to Abbas’s latest comments, but the group has previously rejected demands to disarm.
– The Palestinian Authority’s relationship with Hamas remains tense, with deep political and ideological divisions.¹ ²