Abbas Condemns Hamas in Blistering Speech, Demands Hostage Release and Gaza Control

[Social Media]

 

Abbas Condemns Hamas in Blistering Speech, Demands Hostage Release and Gaza Control

 

In a rare and explosive outburst, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas harshly condemned Hamas, calling its members "sons of dogs" and demanding they release all hostages, disarm, and relinquish control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. The remarks came during a heated address to the Palestinian Central Council in Ramallah, marking Abbas’s strongest public denunciation of Hamas since the start of the Gaza war 18 months ago.

 

"Hamas has given the criminal occupation [Israel] excuses to commit its crimes in the Gaza Strip, the most prominent being the holding of hostages," Abbas said. “Sons of dogs, just release whoever you're holding and be done with it. Shut down their excuses and spare us.”

 

 

The Palestinian president’s speech reflects growing frustration within the Palestinian Authority as the war continues to devastate Gaza and diplomatic efforts to end the conflict repeatedly falter. Abbas insisted Hamas must “hand over” responsibility for Gaza, including its arsenal, and transform itself into a political party. He argued that Hamas’s ongoing military control of the territory has prolonged the war and increased Palestinian suffering.

 

Last week, the group rejected an Israeli proposal for a new ceasefire in Gaza, which included a demand to disarm in return for a six-week pause in hostilities and the release of 10 of the 59 remaining hostages.

 

The PA, based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, has consistently said it is prepared to assume leadership in Gaza once hostilities end. However, many Palestinians have criticized the PA for its perceived passivity and lack of tangible support for Gaza’s population during the conflict.

 

Bassem Naim, a senior member of Hamas, responded with disapproval to Abbas's comments, saying the Palestinian leader had insulted "a significant and integral part of his own people." Naim's remarks were reported by AFP news agency.

 

Meanwhile, Hamas released a video on Wednesday showing Omri Miran, a 48-year-old Israel-Hungarian hostage, held in what appeared to be an underground tunnel. The video’s release came on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel, further intensifying emotions surrounding the conflict.

 

Israel has continued its offensive in Gaza, citing Hamas’s refusal to release hostages and disarm as justification. After cutting off all aid and commercial shipments into Gaza on March 2, Israel resumed military operations two weeks later, saying the pressure was intended to force Hamas’s hand.

 

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany urged Israel to end the blockade, describing the situation as "intolerable." Israel’s foreign ministry swiftly rejected those criticisms, stating, “There is no shortage of aid in Gaza,” and pointing to the 25,000 aid trucks that had entered the territory during the previous two-month ceasefire.

 

“Israel is fighting Hamas, which steals humanitarian aid, uses it to rebuild its war machine, and hides behind civilians,” the statement read. “Hamas started this war, and Hamas is responsible for its continuation and for the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis. The war can end tomorrow if the hostages are released and Hamas lays down its weapons.”

 

As international pressure mounts and divisions among Palestinian leadership grow more public, the path to ending the Gaza war remains fraught with challenges, mistrust, and high stakes for all involved.

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from BBC | AFP  2025-04-24