Amid escalating tensions in the region, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has issued a call for Hamas to cease its control over Gaza, disarm, and release all hostages. His statements come ahead of potential discussions for the recognition of a Palestinian state at an upcoming U.N. conference.
Calls for Hamas Disarmament by Palestinian Authority President
Calls for Hamas Disarmament by Palestinian Authority President
Mahmoud Abbas urges Hamas to disarm ahead of U.N. discussions on a Palestinian state.
Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, has formally requested that Hamas disarm and relinquish control of Gaza in a letter addressed to French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. These leaders are set to co-chair a U.N. conference aimed at discussing the prospects of establishing a Palestinian state.
In the correspondence, which was received by the French presidency, Abbas emphasized that “Hamas must no longer rule Gaza,” advocating for a transition of power to Palestinian security forces, backed by regional and international cooperation. He underscored this as a necessary step for any potential recognition of a Palestinian state by France, which Macron has indicated is contingent upon Hamas’s disarmament.
Additionally, Abbas reiterated the urgency of releasing all hostages held by Hamas following the group’s assault on Israel on October 7, which resulted in significant casualties. He described the attack in unequivocally strong terms, labeling it as “unacceptable and reprehensible.”
The relationship between Abbas's Palestinian Authority, governing parts of the West Bank, and Hamas has been fraught with conflict over the years, exacerbating the challenges towards reconciliation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has leveraged this divide to question the viability of a two-state solution, indicating skepticism toward any moves for statehood that do not address these internal Palestinian dynamics. Furthermore, should Abbas’s proposal for disarmament be pursued, it could provoke a variety of responses from stakeholders across the region, including Israel and the United States, which may perceive it with caution.
