Abbas: No peace without Hamas disarmament

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called for the adoption of a unified Arab peace plan to end the ongoing war in Gaza and establish a framework for lasting peace. 

Speaking at the 34th Arab Summit in Baghdad on Saturday, Abbas emphasized that the plan is centered on empowering the Palestinian Authority (PA) to assume full civilian and security control of the enclave.

The proposal includes a comprehensive restructuring of Gaza’s security forces, carried out on a professional basis with Arab and international support. Crucially, it also requires Hamas and other armed factions to disarm and hand over their weapons to the "legitimate authority" — the PA.

“This is the only way to restore order and move toward a sustainable political solution,” Abbas told Arab leaders.

Disarmament Remains a Sticking Point

The disarmament of Hamas has long been a core demand of Israel, which refuses any ceasefire deal unless Hamas lays down its arms. However, Hamas views disarmament as a red line, insisting it will not give up its weapons as long as the Israeli occupation continues.

While Hamas has expressed openness to a transitional governance structure involving independent technocrats and supported by community leaders, the group remains firmly opposed to the idea of surrendering its military capabilities.

The plan proposed by Abbas signals a renewed push for Arab-led mediation to resolve the Gaza crisis, amid growing international fatigue and humanitarian catastrophe on the ground. 

Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, have shown support for reactivating the Palestinian Authority’s role, viewing it as a path to internal reconciliation and stability.

Whether this initiative gains traction depends largely on Hamas’ willingness to compromise, and on the international community's capacity to guarantee political and financial backing for a post-war Gaza transition.