In a rare and scathing public attack, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday condemned Hamas as “sons of dogs” and demanded the militant group release the hostages it holds in Gaza.
The statement marks one of Abbas’s strongest direct criticisms of Hamas amid the ongoing war with Israel.
“The top priority is to stop the war of extermination in Gaza. It must end—hundreds are being killed every day,” said Abbas, harshly criticizing Hamas for holding on to hostages, including American citizens. He argued that this gives Israel justification to continue its military campaign.
“Why don’t you hand over the American hostages?” Abbas asked pointedly. “Release those you are holding and end this story. Remove their [Israel’s] excuses. End it.“
Abbas also reiterated his call for Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority and to transition into a political party.
“Hamas must hand over its responsibilities in Gaza and its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, and become a political party,” he emphasized.
The Palestinian leader has repeatedly condemned the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, during which more than 5,000 militants stormed southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and abducting 251 hostages. Abbas maintains that this attack provided Israel with a pretext for Gaza’s destruction.
Just two weeks ago, the Palestinian Authority presidency issued a statement calling on Hamas to “stop giving the Israeli occupation any pretext to continue its genocide,” as they phrased it.
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