In a significant address delivered via video link to a United Nations summit focused on the two-state solution, Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas issued a bold call for the militant group Hamas to relinquish its weapons and transfer control of the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority (PA). The speech, which marked a pivotal moment in Palestinian political discourse, also included a rare and pointed condemnation of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which ignited a devastating escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Abbas’s remarks come against the backdrop of mounting international pressure to establish a unified Palestinian leadership capable of negotiating a lasting peace agreement, as the ongoing Gaza conflict continues to destabilize the region and exacerbate humanitarian challenges.
Abbas’s Address to the UN Summit
The UN summit, convened to discuss the prospects of a two-state solution to resolve the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, provided a global stage for Abbas to articulate his vision for the future of Palestinian governance. However, the Palestinian president was notably absent from the in-person proceedings, as the United States denied him a visa to attend the summit in New York. While the reasons for the visa denial were not officially disclosed, the decision sparked criticism from Palestinian officials and some international observers, who argued that it undermined Abbas’s ability to represent the Palestinian people on a critical diplomatic platform.
Undeterred by the visa setback, Abbas delivered his address remotely, using the opportunity to outline a clear and uncompromising stance on the role of Hamas in Palestinian governance. “Hamas will have no role in governing Gaza,” Abbas declared, emphasizing that the militant group and other armed factions must surrender their weapons to the Palestinian Authority. This statement reflects a long-standing tension between the PA, which governs parts of the West Bank, and Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007 following a violent split with the PA. Abbas’s call for disarmament is a direct challenge to Hamas’s authority and its heavily armed military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, which has maintained a tight grip on the coastal enclave.
In addition to demanding that Hamas cede control, Abbas explicitly condemned the group’s actions on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a large-scale attack on southern Israel, targeting civilian communities and military outposts. The assault resulted in significant loss of life, with hundreds of Israeli civilians and soldiers killed and numerous others taken hostage. Abbas stated, “We also condemn the killing and detention of civilians, including Hamas actions on October 7, 2023.” This condemnation marks a rare instance of Abbas publicly criticizing Hamas’s tactics, signaling an effort to distance the PA from the militant group’s actions and align with international calls for de-escalation and accountability.
The Context of Abbas’s Remarks
Abbas’s statements come at a time of heightened international focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in the wake of the October 7 attack and the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza. The attack, which caught Israeli security forces off guard, triggered a massive retaliation that has resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths, widespread destruction of infrastructure, and a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The conflict has also reignited debates about the feasibility of a two-state solution, with many world leaders and diplomats emphasizing the need for a unified Palestinian leadership to negotiate with Israel and implement any future agreements.
The Palestinian Authority, established under the 1993 Oslo Accords, was intended to serve as the foundation for a future Palestinian state. However, its authority has been severely undermined by internal divisions, particularly the 2007 schism between Fatah, the dominant faction in the PA led by Abbas, and Hamas, an Islamist movement designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, and the European Union. The rift has resulted in a bifurcated Palestinian governance structure, with the PA administering parts of the West Bank under Israeli occupation and Hamas ruling Gaza as a de facto government. This division has long been a stumbling block in peace negotiations, as neither Israel nor the international community recognizes Hamas as a legitimate negotiating partner due to its refusal to renounce violence or recognize Israel’s right to exist.
Abbas’s call for Hamas to disarm and cede control of Gaza is not a new demand but carries renewed urgency given the ongoing conflict and the international community’s push for a resolution. The Palestinian Authority has repeatedly argued that a unified Palestinian leadership under its control is essential for advancing statehood aspirations and securing international support. However, Hamas has consistently rejected such proposals, asserting its right to maintain an armed resistance against Israeli occupation and viewing the PA’s cooperation with Israel on security matters as a betrayal of Palestinian interests.
The October 7 Attack and Its Aftermath
The October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas was a watershed moment in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, marking one of the deadliest single-day assaults in Israel’s history. Hamas militants breached the heavily fortified Gaza-Israel border, attacking civilian communities, kibbutzim, and a music festival, while also targeting military installations. The attack resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis, including women, children, and the elderly, and the abduction of more than 250 hostages, many of whom remain in captivity. The brutality of the attack shocked the international community and prompted widespread condemnation, including from some Arab states that have normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords.
Israel’s response was swift and severe, launching a large-scale military operation in Gaza aimed at dismantling Hamas’s military infrastructure and securing the release of hostages. The campaign, which included airstrikes, ground incursions, and a tightened blockade, has led to catastrophic consequences for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. According to Palestinian health authorities, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble and critical infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, heavily damaged. The humanitarian crisis has worsened, with widespread food insecurity, lack of access to clean water, and limited medical supplies exacerbating the suffering of civilians.
The international community has struggled to broker a ceasefire, with mediation efforts led by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States repeatedly faltering. Hamas has demanded a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the blockade as conditions for releasing hostages, while Israel has insisted on the total disarmament of Hamas and the return of all captives. The deadlock has fueled calls for a broader political solution, with many analysts arguing that a sustainable peace requires addressing the underlying governance issues within the Palestinian territories.
Abbas’s Vision for Palestinian Unity
Abbas’s address to the UN summit underscores his vision for a unified Palestinian governance structure under the Palestinian Authority’s leadership. By demanding that Hamas surrender its weapons and relinquish control of Gaza, Abbas is seeking to consolidate power and present the PA as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. This approach aligns with the preferences of many Western governments, which view the PA as a more moderate and pragmatic partner for peace negotiations compared to Hamas.
However, implementing this vision faces significant challenges. Hamas remains a powerful force in Gaza, with a loyal base of supporters and a sophisticated military apparatus. The group’s leadership has shown little willingness to cede control, viewing its armed struggle as a necessary response to Israeli occupation and the PA’s perceived ineffectiveness. Moreover, Hamas’s social services network, which provides education, healthcare, and welfare to Gaza’s residents, has bolstered its legitimacy among segments of the population, despite the hardships caused by the ongoing conflict.
The Palestinian Authority itself faces criticism for its own governance shortcomings. Abbas, who has led the PA since 2005, has been accused of authoritarianism, with elections repeatedly delayed and dissent within the West Bank suppressed. The PA’s security cooperation with Israel, intended to maintain stability in the West Bank, has alienated many Palestinians who view it as collaboration with the occupier. Furthermore, the PA’s limited authority, confined to parts of the West Bank under Israel’s overarching control, has diminished its credibility as a viable governing body.
International Reactions and Implications
Abbas’s remarks have elicited a range of reactions from international stakeholders. The United States and European Union, which have long supported the PA as a partner in peace negotiations, welcomed Abbas’s condemnation of the October 7 attack and his call for Hamas to disarm. However, the U.S. visa denial drew criticism from some quarters, with Palestinian officials arguing that it undermined Abbas’s ability to engage directly with world leaders at a critical juncture. The U.S. State Department has not commented publicly on the visa decision, but analysts suggest it may reflect broader tensions in U.S.-Palestinian relations, particularly given the Biden administration’s strong support for Israel following the October 7 attack.
Israel’s response to Abbas’s speech was muted, with Israeli officials expressing skepticism about the PA’s ability to assert control over Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has consistently rejected negotiations with any Palestinian entity that includes Hamas, and Israeli leaders have called for the complete destruction of the group’s military capabilities. Some Israeli commentators have argued that Abbas’s call for Hamas to disarm aligns with Israel’s objectives, but others view it as an empty gesture given the PA’s limited influence in Gaza.
Arab states, particularly those involved in mediation efforts, have emphasized the need for Palestinian unity but remain divided on how to achieve it. Egypt and Qatar, which have hosted reconciliation talks between Fatah and Hamas in the past, have called for renewed dialogue to bridge the divide. However, the failure of previous reconciliation agreements, such as those signed in 2011 and 2017, has left many skeptical about the prospects for unity.
The Path Forward
Abbas’s call for Hamas to disarm and cede control of Gaza represents a bold but fraught step toward addressing the Palestinian leadership crisis. For the Palestinian Authority to succeed in unifying the Palestinian territories, it would need to overcome significant internal and external obstacles. Internally, the PA must address its own legitimacy deficit by holding long-overdue elections, tackling corruption, and improving governance in the West Bank. Externally, it must navigate a complex landscape of international diplomacy, balancing the demands of Western allies, Arab mediators, and an increasingly hardline Israeli government.
For Hamas, Abbas’s remarks pose a direct challenge to its authority and ideology. The group’s leadership is unlikely to comply with demands to disarm, as its military capabilities are central to its identity and strategy. However, the devastating toll of the ongoing conflict may pressure Hamas to engage in negotiations, particularly if international mediators can secure guarantees for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid.
The broader question of a two-state solution remains elusive. While the UN summit reaffirmed international support for the concept, the realities on the ground—continued Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, the Gaza blockade, and Palestinian political divisions—present formidable barriers. Abbas’s speech, while significant, is unlikely to shift the dynamics of the conflict in the short term. Instead, it serves as a reminder of the deep-seated challenges facing the Palestinian leadership and the urgent need for a coherent strategy to advance Palestinian statehood.
Conclusion
Mahmud Abbas’s address to the UN summit marks a critical moment in the Palestinian struggle for unity and statehood. By calling for Hamas to disarm and cede control of Gaza, Abbas is seeking to reassert the Palestinian Authority’s leadership and position it as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. His condemnation of the October 7, 2023, attack further underscores his effort to align with international norms and distance the PA from Hamas’s actions. However, the path to Palestinian unity remains fraught with challenges, from internal divisions to external pressures. As the Gaza conflict continues to exact a devastating toll, the international community’s focus on a two-state solution highlights the need for bold and pragmatic leadership to bridge the divides within Palestinian society and advance the cause of peace.
