In an emphatic address delivered to a gathering in Ramallah, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas did not hold back in his condemnation of Hamas, labeling the group as "sons of dogs." He called on Hamas to release hostages, disarm, and relinquish control over Gaza to the Palestinian Authority (PA) to terminate the ongoing conflict with Israel. This marked Abbas’s strongest denunciation of Hamas since the war erupted 18 months ago.
Abbas Condemns Hamas and Urges Hostage Release Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict
Abbas Condemns Hamas and Urges Hostage Release Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict
Mahmoud Abbas escalates rhetoric against Hamas, calling for disarmament and control handover to end the war.
During his address, Abbas accused Hamas of providing Israel with pretexts to escalate military action in Gaza, imploring the militant group to "release the hostages and be done with it" to halt the suffering of the Palestinian populace. A Hamas official denounced Abbas's words as derogatory towards a substantial segment of the Palestinian people, pointing out the deep-seated divisions between Hamas and the PA that have persisted for decades.
Hamas recently turned down an Israeli proposal for renewed ceasefire negotiations, which called for disarmament in exchange for a temporary cessation of hostilities and the release of ten among the 59 hostages that the group currently holds. In contrast, Hamas reiterated its insistence on releasing all hostages for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and ruled out disarming.
Critics have increasingly labeled Abbas's leadership as ineffective, highlighting a perceived disconnect with the frustrations of the Palestinian populace. Abbas's control has primarily been limited to parts of the West Bank since Hamas’s takeover of Gaza in 2007, a result of relentless political fragmentation that has complicated any unified leadership among Palestinians.
Abbas's call to action comes during a crisis period as humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate due to an Israeli blockade initiated earlier in the year. The blockade has resulted in severe shortages of essential supplies and widespread fatalities, with significant casualties following recent air strikes in the region.
The international community, including foreign ministers from the UK, France, and Germany, has urged Israel to lift the blockade and allow unhindered aid to flow into Gaza, asserting that the current humanitarian situation is intolerable. Meanwhile, Israel maintains that it complies with international law regarding aid deliveries, contending that sufficient supplies have already been provided.
The violence has taken a staggering toll, with Hamas-run health ministry reports indicating over 51,300 fatalities in Gaza since the escalation began following a cross-border attack on October 7, leading to a conflict that seems far from resolution.
In summary, Abbas's recent remarks reflect a profound frustration with Hamas amid a critical humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This stark criticism highlights the ongoing divide within Palestinian leadership and poses significant challenges to efforts aimed at achieving peace in the region.
Hamas recently turned down an Israeli proposal for renewed ceasefire negotiations, which called for disarmament in exchange for a temporary cessation of hostilities and the release of ten among the 59 hostages that the group currently holds. In contrast, Hamas reiterated its insistence on releasing all hostages for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and ruled out disarming.
Critics have increasingly labeled Abbas's leadership as ineffective, highlighting a perceived disconnect with the frustrations of the Palestinian populace. Abbas's control has primarily been limited to parts of the West Bank since Hamas’s takeover of Gaza in 2007, a result of relentless political fragmentation that has complicated any unified leadership among Palestinians.
Abbas's call to action comes during a crisis period as humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate due to an Israeli blockade initiated earlier in the year. The blockade has resulted in severe shortages of essential supplies and widespread fatalities, with significant casualties following recent air strikes in the region.
The international community, including foreign ministers from the UK, France, and Germany, has urged Israel to lift the blockade and allow unhindered aid to flow into Gaza, asserting that the current humanitarian situation is intolerable. Meanwhile, Israel maintains that it complies with international law regarding aid deliveries, contending that sufficient supplies have already been provided.
The violence has taken a staggering toll, with Hamas-run health ministry reports indicating over 51,300 fatalities in Gaza since the escalation began following a cross-border attack on October 7, leading to a conflict that seems far from resolution.
In summary, Abbas's recent remarks reflect a profound frustration with Hamas amid a critical humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This stark criticism highlights the ongoing divide within Palestinian leadership and poses significant challenges to efforts aimed at achieving peace in the region.
