In brief
As tensions rise, Abbas's statements may influence discussions about Palestinian statehood at an upcoming U.N. meeting.
Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, has issued a strong call for Hamas to disarm, free hostages, and relinquish control of Gaza. This demand was conveyed in a letter addressed to French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who are set to lead a U.N. conference next week aimed at exploring the establishment of a Palestinian state. Macron has set several conditions for France's potential recognition of such a state, chief among them the disarmament of Hamas.In his letter, Abbas stated, “Hamas will no longer rule Gaza and must hand over its weapons and military capabilities to the Palestinian security forces.” He emphasized that the Palestinian forces would take charge of removing Hamas with the backing of Arab nations and international allies, a proposal that may raise eyebrows in both Israel and Washington. Roth echoed the urgent need for Hamas to “immediately release all hostages and captives,” reaffirming a long-standing demand from Abbas.The longstanding rivalry between Abbas’s Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, and Hamas in Gaza has thwarted many attempts at reconciliation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has used this discord to argue against the viability of a two-state solution. Abbas has condemned the recent Hamas-led attack on Israel, marking his strongest denunciation yet.
