Abbas demands Hamas disarm, pushes for Palestinian statehood and elections post-war, despite U.S. and Israeli opposition.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called for Hamas to surrender its weapons and excluded it from any future role in governing Gaza, emphasizing plans to hold elections within a year after the war ends and establish a unified Palestinian state under the Palestinian Authority. Speaking at a UN summit, he urged global recognition of Palestinian statehood, condemned the October 7 attack, and called for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid. Despite support from many nations, the U.S. and Israel oppose Palestinian statehood, with Israel insisting the war will continue until Hamas is defeated. Abbas was barred from attending the U.N. in person due to revoked U.S. visas.