Haaretz May 16, 2025
Abbas seeks deal to bring Hamas into Palestinian political system

Asharq Al-Awsat reported Thursday that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has asked the leadership of his Fatah movement pressure Hamas – directly or through countries wield influence it – to engage in direct dialogue with the Palestinian Authority.

Abbas hopes to reach a comprehensive agreement through which Hamas would join the Palestinian political system, the report claimed.

Speaking earlier, Basem Naim told Sky News in Arabic that Hamas is willing to relinquish control of Gaza unconditionally if the Palestinian factions can unite into a single national body.

Sources reportedly told Asharq Al-Awsat that Abbas wants "to turn the page and move to a new stage, based on turning Hamas into a political party, through which it would transfer control of the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority and obey its decisions, institutions and laws."