Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has pledged to work with U.S. President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia, France, and the United Nations to advance a peace plan for Gaza and the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Speaking via video to the United Nations General Assembly, after being denied a U.S. visa, Abbas expressed support for the recently endorsed UN declaration that promotes a two-state solution and seeks to end the Gaza war.
The declaration, adopted overwhelmingly by the 193-member UN General Assembly, originated from a July international peace conference hosted by Saudi Arabia and France. While widely supported, it was rejected by the United States and Israel, both of which boycotted the event.
In parallel, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff revealed that Trump presented a 21-point Middle East peace plan during meetings with Muslim-majority leaders at the UN summit. Abbas welcomed collaboration, stating that Palestine is “ready to assume full responsibility for governance and security in Gaza,” but made it clear that Hamas will have no role in governing and must disarm. He emphasized that Palestinians “do not want an armed state.”
Hamas swiftly rejected Abbas’ remarks, accusing him of bowing to foreign pressure. The group insisted that Palestinians have the right to choose their own leaders and vowed not to surrender weapons while Israel occupies Palestinian land.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed Abbas’ speech as “nice words” for the West, criticizing his failure to confront terrorism.
The backdrop of these developments remains the devastating war triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack, which killed 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in 251 hostages. According to local authorities, more than 65,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in Gaza since.
Abbas reiterated that despite the suffering, Palestinians reject Hamas’ October 7 attacks and remain committed to international peace efforts.