Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a fiery speech during the PA Central Council meeting on Wednesday, unleashing harsh criticism at Hamas and demanding the release of hostages held in Gaza. “Sons of dogs, hand over the hostages,” he declared in a televised address.
He emphasized the urgency of ending the conflict, citing the relentless loss of life. “The war must end,” Abbas said, explaining that “[Hamas] doesn’t want to hand over the American hostages. Sons of dogs – hand over the hostages and end the matter.”
Outlining key objectives, Abbas listed the return of hostages, the removal of Israel’s blockade on Gaza, coordination with Arab states to halt the displacement of Palestinians, and the preservation of what he called the “Palestinian cause.” “Returning the hostages; lifting the Israeli blockade of Gaza; stopping the displacement of our people in coordination with Arab countries; defending the ‘Palestinian cause.’”
Abbas demanded that Hamas relinquish power in Gaza and surrender its weapons to the Palestinian Authority. “Hamas must end its control of the Gaza Strip and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority,” he stated.
He also urged Hamas to abandon its militant posture and transition into a political entity. “Talk to us instead of the Americans,” he said, calling for dialogue and internal Palestinian unity.
Turning his focus to the war’s broader devastation, Abbas placed blame on Hamas’s 2007 takeover of Gaza, which he claimed served as justification for Israel’s military operations. “The coup carried out by Hamas in 2007 gave Israel a pretext to destroy the Gaza Strip. 2,165 families were completely wiped out, and 6,664 were partially wiped out. More than two-thirds of the homes were destroyed in the war.”
He warned of the looming threat of widespread displacement. “We are facing serious dangers that could lead to a ‘new Nakba,’” he cautioned.
Abbas concluded by reaffirming his stance on the path to peace, which he said hinges on bringing an end to Israeli occupation and creating a Palestinian state. “Our vision for achieving peace in the Middle East is based on ending the Israeli occupation and establishing a state.”
{Matzav.com}