President Abbas demands Hamas hand over weapons to authority

UNITED NATIONS: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called on Hamas to surrender its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, stressing the need for national unity and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Addressing the UN Palestine Conference via video link, Abbas appealed for urgent humanitarian aid for Gaza and praised Egypt and Qatar for their mediation efforts. He said Palestinians seek a unified state without arms.

Abbas announced that within three months of ending the war, a transitional constitution would be prepared to ensure transparent and orderly transfer of power, followed by elections under international supervision to establish the state on constitutional grounds.

He said that Hamas will have no role in the Palestinian governance, the organization should hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.

President Mahmoud Abbas thanked the 149 countries who recognized the Palestinian state and appealed to other countries to recognize Palestine soon.

He also expressed his willingness to cooperate with US President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia and other global partners to implement the peace plan.