Abbas Presses Hamas to Quit Gaza as Trump says ceasefire Could Come ‘Within Week’

Addis Ababa, July 14, 2025 (ENA)—Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Hamas cannot govern post-war Gaza and must surrender its weapons to the PA, according to a statement after his meeting with former UK prime minister Tony Blair in Amman on Sunday.

Abbas urged an immediate cease-fire, release of all captives on both sides and full Israeli withdrawal so the PA can assume control of Gaza “with Arab and international backing.”

He also called for a freeze on West Bank settlement expansion.

Hamas rejected similar demands from Abbas in April.

The two factions have been at odds since Hamas won the 2006 elections and seized Gaza from Fatah in 2007, despite intermittent reconciliation talks.

On its part, U.S. says truce possible within days

Speaking to reporters in Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump said indirect talks mediated by Qatar could yield a breakthrough “over the next week.”

Envoy Steve Witkoff, attending the FIFA Club World Cup final in the United States, said he was “hopeful” after discussions with Qatari intermediaries.

The draft deal envisages a 60-day truce, staged hostage releases and partial Israeli troop pullbacks, followed by negotiations on a permanent end to the 21-month war. Talks remain stuck over Israel’s refusal to commit to a complete withdrawal.

A Channel 12 poll on Friday found 75 % of Israelis back a deal exchanging an end to the offensive for the release of all hostages.