Palestinian president calls for Hamas to surrender weapons and hand over control of Gaza

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has called on Hamas to lay down its arms and hand over control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority, while also condemning the group’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

Speaking via video link to a UN summit on the two-state solution — after the United States denied him a visa to attend in person, Abbas declared that Hamas would have no role in governing Gaza under a future Palestinian administration.

“Hamas will have no role in governing Gaza. Hamas and other factions must surrender their weapons to the Palestinian Authority,” Abbas said.

He added: “We also condemn the killing and detention of civilians, including Hamas actions on October 7, 2023.”

His remarks come as international pressure grows for a unified Palestinian leadership capable of negotiating peace, with the Gaza conflict continuing to destabilize the region.