Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday pledged to cooperate with US President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia, France, and the United Nations to implement a Gaza peace plan overwhelmingly backed by the UN General Assembly.
The seven-page declaration, endorsed this month by the 193-member body, seeks to advance a two-state solution and end the Gaza war. It followed a July international conference hosted by Saudi Arabia and France, which the US and Israel boycotted.
In a video address to the UN, after being denied a US visa, Abbas rejected Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and insisted Gaza is an “integral part” of the State of Palestine. He ruled out any Hamas role in governance, calling on the group and other factions to hand over weapons to the Palestinian Authority.
Hamas swiftly rejected Abbas’ remarks, accusing him of submitting to “external dictates” and vowing not to disarm while Israel continues its occupation.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed Abbas’ speech as “nice words” for the West, accusing him of failing to act against terrorism.
The Gaza war, triggered by the October 7 Hamas attack, has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians according to local health authorities, while 1,200 people were killed in Israel and 251 taken hostage.
The seven-page declaration, endorsed this month by the 193-member body, seeks to advance a two-state solution and end the Gaza war. It followed a July international conference hosted by Saudi Arabia and France, which the US and Israel boycotted.
In a video address to the UN, after being denied a US visa, Abbas rejected Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and insisted Gaza is an “integral part” of the State of Palestine. He ruled out any Hamas role in governance, calling on the group and other factions to hand over weapons to the Palestinian Authority.
Hamas swiftly rejected Abbas’ remarks, accusing him of submitting to “external dictates” and vowing not to disarm while Israel continues its occupation.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed Abbas’ speech as “nice words” for the West, accusing him of failing to act against terrorism.
The Gaza war, triggered by the October 7 Hamas attack, has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians according to local health authorities, while 1,200 people were killed in Israel and 251 taken hostage.
