Mahmoud Abbas calls for Hamas to disarm and release hostages
- Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas met with Tony Blair to discuss the Gaza conflict.
- Abbas called for the disarmament of Hamas and for them to release 50 hostages.
- He stated that Hamas should not govern Gaza post-war and emphasized the need for PA authority.
In recent discussions held in Amman, Jordan, Mahmoud Abbas, the chairman of the Palestinian Authority, met with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to address escalating tensions and conflicts in Gaza. During this meeting, which occurred on a weekend, Abbas demanded that Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by many, disarm completely and return the approximately 50 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip to Israel. This reflects Abbas's longstanding position against Hamas’s authority in Gaza, which has been in place since their takeover in 2007. Abbas reiterated the Palestinian Authority's strong opposition to Hamas's rule and emphasized the need for a governance restructuring in the Gaza Strip following the war. The Palestinian Authority had previously governed Gaza until Hamas's armed takeover. Abbas is advocating for a transition back to PA governance after the war's end, arguing that Hamas should not control the region in the aftermath of these hostilities. Additionally, Abbas called for a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, asserting that this step is crucial for resolving the ongoing conflicts. He articulated the necessity for Hamas to surrender its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, underscoring that the resolution lies in establishing the Palestinian state, which would be marked by sovereignty and governance under the PA rather than Hamas. Abbas also issued warnings to Israel about undertaking unilateral actions that could exacerbate tensions, particularly referring to the expansion of Jewish towns in disputed regions. This indicates the complexity of the geopolitics at play and the need for collaborative efforts to secure peace and stability for both the Palestinian and Israeli communities in the wake of violent confrontations that have left many casualties.