Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a stern warning to the “terrorist” group Hamas and other factions, urging them to surrender their weapons to the Palestinian Authority. He declared that the Palestinian state is the only legitimate body qualified to govern Gaza and ensure security. Addressing a special UN General Assembly session on the two-state solution via video, Abbas presented his vision of a unified Palestinian state under one law and a single legitimate security force.
“The only entity qualified to take full responsibility for governance and security in Gaza is the Palestinian state,” Abbas said. “This can be achieved through the interim administrative committee affiliated with the government in the West Bank, with Arab and international support.” Stressing that Hamas would have “no role in governance,” he added, “Hamas and other factions must hand over their weapons to the Authority. We want a state without arms, with one law and one security force.”
Expressing gratitude for the New York Declaration passed in July, Abbas described it as the beginning of an irreversible path to end the humanitarian crisis and Israeli occupation. The declaration envisions an independent Palestinian state living peacefully alongside Israel, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Abbas further emphasized the need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access through the United Nations, the release of all hostages and detainees, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the reconstruction of Gaza and the West Bank.
“This war against our people must end immediately,” he said. “Crimes of blockade, starvation, and destruction cannot be justified as means of security.” He called for reconstruction to begin without delay through the Cairo Conference and also condemned both the “crimes of occupation” and the October 7, 2023 actions carried out by Hamas. “We condemn the crimes of occupation, the killing of civilians, and arbitrary detentions,” Abbas stressed.
Condemnation of Israeli Expansion and Global Recognition
Abbas also denounced Israeli settlement expansion, annexation, settler violence, and attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites, stating: “The narrative of Greater Israel violates international law and poses a direct threat to Arab national security and world peace.”
The session was co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. On the same occasion, French President Emmanuel Macron officially announced France’s recognition of the Palestinian state.
