In a rare and fiery televised speech, the Palestinian President accuses Hamas of harming the Palestinian cause, urges end to Gaza war, and calls for political unity under the PLO
Ramallah, April 24: In one of his harshest public criticisms yet, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas lashed out at Hamas, labeling the group as “sons of dogs” and demanding the immediate release of hostages and the complete disarmament of the group. Speaking from Ramallah on Wednesday, Abbas accused Hamas of causing “severe damage” to the Palestinian cause and providing Israel with justification for its military operations in Gaza.
“Sons of dogs, release the hostages and block their justifications,” Abbas said in his televised address, referring to Hamas and its October 7 attack on Israel.
While he did not explicitly condemn that attack during the speech, Abbas reiterated his opposition to any violence targeting civilians.
🔴 Key Highlights from Abbas’ Speech:
- Hostage Release: Urged Hamas to free all Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
- Disarmament Call: Stated that Hamas must hand over control of the Gaza Strip to the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the Palestinian National Authority (PA).
- Political Reformation: Called on Hamas to transform into a non-armed political party operating under Palestinian law and international norms.
- Ceasefire Push: Demanded an immediate end to the war in Gaza and withdrawal of Israeli troops.
- Unity Appeal: Emphasized the need for Palestinian political unification under the PLO umbrella.
🗨️ “Hamas Has Inflicted Irreparable Harm”
Abbas accused Hamas of enabling Israeli aggression, stating the group’s actions have “allowed this criminal occupation [Israel] to find free justifications for executing its conspiracies.”
He added that since Hamas seized Gaza in 2007, it has damaged the Palestinian cause both regionally and globally. “It has become an obstacle to peace and unity,” he stated.
🆚 Hamas Hits Back
In response, Hamas rejected Abbas’ accusations, calling his remarks “suspicious” and blaming him for undermining Palestinian resistance. The group questioned his competence and criticized his “failure to confront Israeli aggression.”
📜 Historical Rift & Attempts at Unity
- 2006: Hamas won legislative elections; ousted the PA from Gaza in 2007.
- 2017: Both factions signed a Cairo reconciliation agreement—failed after an assassination attempt on PA PM Rami Hamdallah in Gaza.
- 2023: Another unity agreement was signed but has yet to yield practical results.
🌍 International Push for Peace
Abbas renewed his call for a UN-backed international peace conference and stressed the importance of implementing UN Security Council resolutions. He aligned with Egypt’s recent proposal calling for Hamas’ disarmament as part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
🧭 The Bigger Picture
This speech marks a turning point in Palestinian internal politics, as Abbas—often criticized for being too soft on Hamas—has now openly accused the group of exploiting the hostage crisis and harming national interests. With Israel’s military campaign in Gaza continuing and international pressure mounting for a ceasefire, Abbas’ bold statements may reshape the narrative ahead of fresh negotiations.
Note: Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by countries including the United States, European Union, Canada, and Israel.