Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has declared the Palestinian Authority (PA) the sole legitimate body capable of administering Gaza in a video address to the UN General Assembly, marking his strongest public stance yet on post-conflict governance. The remarks come amid heightened tensions following Hamas' October 7 attacks and Israel's military response.
A Call for Unified Governance
Abbas emphasized "one state, one law, one security force" as essential principles, urging all factions to surrender weapons to the PA. "We will not accept the occupation of the Gaza Strip after this war ends," he stated, positioning the PA as critical to preventing a power vacuum.
Diplomatic Push at the UN
The 88-year-old leader renewed Palestine's bid for full UN membership, currently holding observer status since 2012. This follows the PA's recent acceptance as full member of the UN Conference on Trade and Development despite opposition from some quarters.
Condemnation and Challenges
While condemning civilian casualties on all sides, Abbas criticized Israel's settlement expansion and called for immediate peace talks. The address occurred under unusual circumstances after US authorities denied visas to Abbas and senior Palestinian officials seeking to attend UN meetings in person.
Regional Implications
Analysts suggest Abbas' positioning attempts to reassert PA relevance amid growing international scrutiny of Gaza's future. However, significant challenges remain regarding reconciliation with Hamas and Israel's stance on PA involvement in post-conflict arrangements.
