Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas launched a scathing attack on the terrorist organization during a rare public condemnation at a central Fatah Council conference in Ramallah.
In an unusually sharp tone, Abbas demanded that Hamas release all hostages held in Gaza, specifically calling out the case of Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American hostage. "Why haven't you released the American hostage?" Abbas asked during his speech, referencing Alexander's dual citizenship.
Continuing his remarks, Abbas rejected the notion that the deaths of over 200,000 residents of the Gaza Strip could be dismissed as a mere "tactical loss," a phrase reportedly used by those he accused of causing what he called "the Nakba of division", referring to the violent political and territorial split between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas.
Abbas stated that Hamas must "end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority." He added that the organization should transform into a political party that abides by the laws of a future Palestinian state and respects international legitimacy. "We are working with Egypt and the United Nations to organize an international conference in Gaza," he said.
He punctuated his attack by cursing Hamas leadership, calling them "sons of dogs", a rare public outburst that underscores the depth of intra-Palestinian tensions.
However, Abbas also turned his criticism toward Israel, accusing it of waging a "war of extermination" in Gaza. "Our top priority is to stop Israel's war of annihilation and to ensure the occupation withdraws from the entire Strip," he said. He argued that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu benefits politically from the ongoing conflict, saying, "As long as the war continues, Netanyahu remains in power."
Abbas concluded by praising the resilience of the Palestinian people in Gaza, stating, "Our people stand firm, reject forced emigration and will not allow themselves to be pushed out of the Strip."
