Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has declared that Hamas will not be allowed to govern Gaza after Israel’s ongoing war ends. Speaking during a meeting with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in Amman, Abbas insisted that Hamas must surrender its weapons and submit to the authority of the Palestinian Authority under a unified legal and security framework.

During talks in Jordan, Abbas reaffirmed his vision for Gaza’s future, stating that there must be “one authority, one law, and one legitimate weapon.” He called for Hamas to hand over its arms and engage solely in political activities within a unified Palestinian system. Abbas outlined his position clearly: the PA, not Hamas, will lead Gaza’s reconstruction and governance after the war’s conclusion.

He also reiterated that the only viable solution is a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, allowing the PA to assume control, with support from Arab countries and the broader international community.

Abbas further called for an international conference in New York to revive efforts towards a two-state solution based on the Arab Peace Initiative. This reflects his broader diplomatic push to reframe post-war Gaza within internationally recognized frameworks and to sideline any alternative proposals that involve forced displacement or external control.

Arab states, led by Egypt, have already endorsed a $53 billion reconstruction plan for Gaza, which proposes a temporary technocratic administration overseen by the PA. Abbas’s remarks align with these proposals, which reject any vision of Gaza governance involving Hamas or externally imposed demographic changes.

Despite his assertions, Abbas and the PA face deep unpopularity among Palestinians due to perceived corruption and close ties with Israel. PA forces have been cracking down on armed groups in the West Bank, fueling further discontent. Nevertheless, Abbas’s stance reflects ongoing efforts to position the PA as the sole legitimate authority in Palestinian territories.

Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, has consistently rejected involvement in any post-war administrative structures. Abbas’s meeting with Blair also came amid controversy surrounding the Tony Blair Institute’s reported ties to controversial plans for Gaza’s future, though the institute has denied direct involvement.