In a meeting with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called for the disarmament of the Hamas movement and the transfer of control of the Gaza Strip to the PA.
He stated in the meeting, which was held in Jordan on Sunday, that Hamas cannot rule Gaza after the end of the war and must hand over its weapons.
Abbas also claimed that Hamas could continue its political activities after disarmament within the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s programs.
These statements came despite Abbas having previously supported the disarmament of Hamas in a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron.
He also called for the deployment of Arab and international forces in the Palestinian territories under the supervision of the Security Council.
In contrast, Hamas has rejected these demands and called disarmament a “red line.”
These positions come at a time when long-standing differences between Hamas and the PA have prevented political unity in the West Bank and Gaza.
