Abbas Pledges Cooperation on Gaza Peace Plan at UN

United Nations, Sept. 25 – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the UN General Assembly on Thursday that he is ready to work with U.S. President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia, France, and the UN to advance a new peace plan for Gaza. He called on the international community to support Palestinian statehood while rejecting Hamas’s role in future governance.

Global Peace Initiative

Earlier this month, the 193-member UN General Assembly endorsed a seven-page declaration aimed at ending the Gaza war and advancing a two-state solution. The declaration followed a July conference hosted by Saudi Arabia and France. The United States and Israel boycotted the event and dismissed the initiative.

Meanwhile, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff announced that Trump had shared a 21-point peace plan with leaders of Muslim-majority states during meetings held alongside the UN General Assembly.

Abbas Addresses World Leaders

Abbas delivered his speech via video after U.S. authorities denied him a visa to attend the gathering in New York.

“Despite all that our people have suffered, we reject what Hamas carried out on October 7 – attacks that targeted Israeli civilians and took them as hostages,” Abbas said. “Such actions do not represent the Palestinian people or their legitimate struggle for freedom and independence.”

He stressed that Gaza is an “integral part of the State of Palestine” and declared that the Palestinian Authority is prepared to take full responsibility for governance and security there. Abbas made clear that Hamas would not be allowed a role in government and must disarm. “We reiterate that we do not want an armed state,” he added.

No Role for Hamas

The Palestinian leader also ruled out any future role for Hamas in Palestinian politics. He condemned antisemitism and appealed for international backing in the face of Israeli annexation threats.

Abbas reaffirmed the commitment of the Palestinian leadership to work with Trump, Saudi Arabia, France, the UN, and other partners to implement the General Assembly-backed peace plan.

War in Gaza

The conflict in Gaza erupted after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Since then, more than 65,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in Gaza, according to local health officials.
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