Abbas Calls Israeli Assault a 'War Crime', Rejects Hamas Role

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the UN General Assembly virtually after the United States denied him a visa and UN members approved his remote appearance. He condemned what he described as Israel’s nearly two‑year assault on Gaza as a war crime and “one of the most horrific chapters,” citing very high Palestinian casualties and widespread destruction. Abbas denounced the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians, said Hamas “will not have a role to play in governance,” urged all armed factions to hand over weapons to the Palestinian Authority, and rejected antisemitism. He warned that Israeli settlement expansion and a “Greater Israel” strategy — including projects like E1 — threaten to carve up the West Bank and undermine the two‑state solution, and he called for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, the release of hostages and prisoners, and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. Abbas asserted the PA’s readiness to assume governance and security under “one state, one law,” pledged to work with international actors including the UN, France, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. on peace plans, and urged implementation of longstanding UN resolutions toward a viable Palestinian state.