Abbas demands Hamas release the hostages, disarm to end ongoing war with Israel

Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas has made a bold demand to Hamas, urging the terror group to disarm, relinquish power, and release the hostages in their possession. Abbas believes that by releasing the hostages, Hamas would effectively eliminate Israel’s justification for the ongoing war that erupted following the group’s brutal massacre on October 7, 2023.

During a meeting of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council, where a successor to the 89-year-old PA president is expected to be chosen, Abbas stressed the urgency of halting the devastating war in Gaza, where hundreds of lives are lost daily. He directly confronted Hamas, questioning why they are holding hostages and accusing them of prolonging the conflict unnecessarily.

In a surprising move, Abbas called on Hamas to transfer its authority to the Palestinian Authority, a demand he has made in the past but never with such urgency. This call comes amidst a longstanding feud between Hamas and the PA, dating back to 2006 when the terror organization seized power in Gaza, forcing the PA out of the region.

Despite Abbas’ plea for cooperation from Hamas to end the conflict and save Palestinian lives, it remains uncertain whether the terror group will comply with his demands. The international community has urged the PA to play a role in a post-war plan for Gaza, although Israel has not been receptive to this proposal.

The Israeli government and the Trump administration have been critical of the PA’s controversial “pay for slay” policy, which provided financial support to the families of Palestinians involved in attacks against Israelis. Abbas recently reformed this policy in February of this year, facing backlash from Israel and accusations of attempting to continue supporting terrorists through alternative means.

As the situation in Gaza remains volatile and the conflict shows no signs of abating, Abbas’ call for Hamas to disarm, relinquish power, and release the hostages serves as a crucial step towards achieving peace and stability in the region. It is now up to Hamas to decide whether to heed Abbas’ demands and take a significant step towards ending the devastating war in Gaza.