PA leader Abbas: ‘Hamas-affiliated gangs primarily responsible’ for Gaza aid looting
Statement says Palestinian people ‘will not forgive these disgraceful acts committed in such a critical time’
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday issued a statement condemning Israel over its military offensive in the Gaza Strip, but also denouncing the enclave’s Hamas rulers for looting humanitarian aid.
The statement posted to the PA’s official Wafa news agency said Abbas “expressed his categorical rejection and firm condemnation of the looting and theft carried out by criminal gangs targeting warehouses and storage facilities of humanitarian aid designated for the people of Gaza.”
It added that the PA “held Hamas-affiliated gangs primarily responsible, emphasizing that the Palestinian people will not forgive these disgraceful acts committed in such a critical time, especially in the besieged Strip.”
Last month, Abbas made headlines by calling Hamas “sons of dogs,” demanding that the terror group release hostages it is holding to eliminate what he said was Israel’s pretext to continue its war in Gaza.
“The first priority is to stop the war of extermination in Gaza. It must be stopped — hundreds are being killed every day,” Abbas said in a speech. “Why don’t you hand over the American hostages?”
Addressing Hamas as “sons of dogs,” the PA president told the terror group to “release those you’re holding and put an end to this story. Shut down their excuses. End it.”
He further called on Hamas to cede control of Gaza to the PA, give up its arms and become a political party.
“Hamas must hand over Gaza responsibilities and hand over its arms to the responsibility to Palestinian Authority and transform into a political party,” Abbas said.
Hamas has refused calls in recent months by Israel and the United States to lay down its arms.
Abbas made the remarks during a speech at the opening of the PLO Central Council meeting.
The PA leader has previously criticized the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which he said gave Israel a pretext to destroy Gaza. Hamas led over 5,000 terrorists to invade southern Israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 hostages.
Abbas and the PA have often accused Hamas of undermining Palestinian unity, while Hamas has criticized the PA for collaborating with Israel and cracking down on dissent in the West Bank.
Ties between Abbas’s Fatah party and Hamas have been tense, with deep political and ideological divisions for nearly two decades. In 2007, Hamas seized Gaza from PA control in a bloody coup, and the two factions have remained at loggerheads ever since despite repeated efforts at reconciliation.
Nurit Yohanan contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.