Palestinians reject Hamas attack Abbas tells UN

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the United Nations General Assembly by video on Thursday, declaring that his people “reject” the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. He pledged that the militant group will have no role in governing Gaza after the war ends and must hand over its weapons. Abbas made these remarks after the United States revoked his visa, describing the situation in Gaza as a “war of genocide, destruction, starvation, and displacement” perpetrated by Israel. He emphasized that the Palestinian authorities reject Hamas’s actions, which do not represent the Palestinian people.

Abbas outlined his vision for the future governance of the territories, stating that the Palestinian Authority is “ready to bear full responsibility for governance and security” once the conflict is over. He called on Hamas to surrender its weapons to the Palestinian authorities, stressing that justice cannot be achieved while Palestine remains unfree. The president expressed gratitude to world leaders who have supported the Palestinians during the Gaza war and highlighted recent recognitions of Palestinian statehood by France, the United Kingdom, and Canada as sources of hope for peace. He urged other countries to follow suit, noting that symbolic recognition alone is insufficient to address the current crisis.

As Abbas concluded his speech, attention turned to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is scheduled to address the UN assembly on Friday. Netanyahu’s remarks are expected to present Israel’s case for continuing its two‑year war in Gaza. The international community is watching closely, awaiting clarity on the next steps in the conflict.

The Gaza war, now in its second year, has caused extensive humanitarian suffering and widespread damage to infrastructure. Global calls for a peaceful resolution persist, with many nations affirming the need for a two‑state solution. While recent recognitions of Palestinian statehood represent a step toward that goal, substantial work remains to achieve a lasting peace.