Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has stated that Hamas and all other armed factions must surrender their weapons to the Palestinian Authority.

President Abbas on Monday presented a clear roadmap for the future of Palestine during a video address at a global conference held in New York.

Abbas made it clear that Hamas will have no role in the governance of the future Palestinian state.

The Palestinian president called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, emphasising that Gaza is in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

He also called for the immediate release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Abbas praised the mediation efforts of Egypt and Qatar aimed at ending the war in Gaza and commended Egypt and Jordan for rejecting Israel’s plan to forcibly displace Palestinians.

“We want a demilitarised Palestinian state,” Abbas said and appealed to the international community to recognise an independent Palestine.

After being denied a US visa by the Trump administration, Mahmoud Abbas could not attend the conference in person. However, his address was considered one of the highlights of the event.

In his speech, Abbas stressed the need for a permanent ceasefire and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the West Bank through the United Nations.

He said the time had come to begin the reconstruction process without delay, so that destroyed areas could be rehabilitated and affected people could receive relief.

Abbas made it clear that Hamas would play no role in governing Gaza.

He called for Hamas and other groups to hand over their weapons to the Palestinian Authority, stating: “We want Palestine to be a unified state without weapons.”

He announced that within three months of the war’s end, a draft interim constitution would be prepared to ensure proper and transparent power transfer.

Afterwards, presidential and parliamentary elections would be held under international supervision to leave no doubts about the democratic process.

Abbas said the Palestinian people want a modern democratic state based on the rule of law, pluralism, peaceful transfer of power, equality, justice, and empowerment of women and youth.

He emphasised that Palestine is committed to a comprehensive reform agenda, which includes improvements in governance, transparency, financial reforms, and updating the education curriculum in line with UNESCO standards.

President Abbas praised the 151 countries that have recognised Palestine as an independent state and commended the roles of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and France in this regard.

It is worth noting that during the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron announced France’s decision to recognise Palestine as an independent state, a move seen as a major step in global diplomacy.

Abbas also sought international support for full UN membership for Palestine and reminded the world that Palestine had already recognised Israel’s existence in 1988 and again in 1993, and still stands by that position.

He stated: “We want Israel to immediately return to the negotiating table so that the bloodshed stops and a fair and comprehensive peace can be established.”

Abbas asserted that only the Palestinian side is capable of fully taking on governance and security responsibilities in Gaza.

For this purpose, a temporary administrative committee would be formed under the Palestinian government, including Arab and international representatives.

In his speech, Abbas strongly condemned Israeli expansionism, settlement construction, attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites, and the policy of isolating Jerusalem.

He said such actions were not only violations of international law but also posed a direct threat to Arab national security and global peace.

During the conference, Abbas also expressed readiness to implement the peace plan approved in New York, in cooperation with US President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia, France, the United Nations, and other partners.

“We must implement this plan under a set timeline, with international monitoring and guarantees, so that a new era of just peace and regional cooperation can begin,” he added.

He praised the roles of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States for their efforts to end the war in Gaza, and acknowledged the stance of Egypt and Jordan, which refused to accept the forced displacement of the Palestinian people.