Hamas must surrender Gaza control, disarm: Palestinian PM

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa called on Hamas to cede control of the Gaza Strip and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority during remarks at the United Nations High-Level International Conference on "The peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution."

Speaking on Monday, Mustafa affirmed that the State of Palestine is "the sole legitimate authority" entitled to govern Gaza. He urged an immediate end to the war, what he described as “genocide and forced displacement,” and called for the release of captives as well as intensified mediation efforts, especially by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, to reach a ceasefire.

The Prime Minister reiterated the Palestinian Authority’s readiness to assume “full responsibility for governance and security in Gaza,” warning against ongoing “Israeli attempts to annex the West Bank.” He called on the international community to “exert pressure on the occupying power” to halt such actions.

Mustafa also emphasized the Palestinian leadership's commitment to establishing a free, sovereign, and independent Palestinian state, in line with international legitimacy. He urged countries that have yet to recognize Palestine to do so, stating that such a move is essential to supporting the two-state solution.

The Palestinian leader announced his government's willingness to invite a temporary international and Arab stabilization force, under a UN Security Council mandate, to help protect Palestinian civilians and support stability in Gaza.

“We want one Palestinian state with one government and one legitimate weapon,” he said, rejecting all forms of violence and terrorism, including the targeting of civilians.

Mustafa concluded by urging donor countries to convene an urgent conference to rebuild the devastated Gaza Strip, and said coordination is ongoing with Arab states to prevent the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland.