Palestinian President asks Hamas leaders to surrender arms.

• Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urges Hamas to relinquish Gaza Strip responsibilities, hand over arms to the Palestinian Authority, and transform into a political party.

• Abbas’ remarks come amid international doubts over the Palestinian Authority’s viability.

• He criticizes Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, claiming it gave Israel a pretext to destroy Gaza.

• Hamas opposes Abbas’s peacemaking efforts with Israel.