Abbas Calls for Hamas Disarmament Amid Gaza Power Struggle

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has reiterated demands for Hamas to disarm, release hostages, and relinquish control of Gaza in letters to French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He has promised Palestinian elections within a year, supported international peacekeeping under a UN mandate, and committed to reforms in the Palestinian Authority, garnering praise from France. Local Gaza militias, such as the 'Popular Forces' led by Yasser Abu Shabab, have denied collaborating with Israel and urged Hamas to step aside, highlighting a broader internal power struggle over Gaza's future governance. The moves seek to revive the two-state solution and enable the PA to reclaim authority in Gaza, but skepticism about their implementation persists. These developments precede a pivotal UN summit on Palestinian statehood and come amid continued conflict and international pressure for peace. The initiatives are part of wider efforts to establish a post-Hamas governance structure in Gaza.