Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas strongly criticized Hamas during a televised address from Ramallah, calling them “sons of dogs” and demanding they release all remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza and disarm.
He argued that continuing to hold hostages would only provide Israel with a justification to escalate its military actions.
Abbas stressed that halting what he referred to as Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza must be the priority, and he condemned Hamas for causing harm to the Palestinian cause.
He outlined a six-point plan for Gaza’s future under the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian National Authority (PNA), calling for Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza, disarm, and become a political party within Palestinian law.
Hamas swiftly rejected Abbas’s remarks, questioning his authority and accusing him of unfairly blaming Palestinians for the violence resulting from the occupation. The two factions have been in a bitter rivalry since Hamas took over Gaza in 2007.
Abbas also reiterated his call for Palestinian unity under the PLO umbrella, despite past failed reconciliation efforts.
