Mahmoud Abbas Calls Hamas “Sons of Dogs” – Wafa News Agency

Mahmoud Abbas Calls Hamas “Sons of Dogs” – Wafa News Agency

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has referred to Hamas as “sons of dogs,” marking one of his harshest public condemnations of the group since the war began 18 months ago. His comments came during a meeting in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

In the same statement, Abbas demanded that Hamas hand over control of Gaza and release all Israeli hostages as a condition for ending the war with Israel. He accused Hamas of giving Israel a "pretext" to continue its attacks on Gaza by holding hostages.

A senior Hamas official responded with strong condemnation. Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas's political wing, said Abbas had used "offensive language against a significant part of his own people."

Last week, Hamas rejected a new Israeli ceasefire proposal that offered a six-week truce in exchange for the release of 10 out of 59 remaining hostages and included a plan to disarm Gaza. Hamas said it would only release the hostages if Israel agreed to a complete ceasefire and full withdrawal of its forces from Gaza.

The Palestinian Authority, led by Abbas, currently governs parts of the West Bank. Hamas took full control of Gaza in 2007 after winning elections and expelling Fatah officials. Now, Abbas is calling on Hamas to disarm and transform into a political party under the authority of the Palestinian government.

Long-standing tensions between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority have prevented a unified leadership for the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza.

“Hamas has handed Israel the excuse of criminal occupation—most notably by holding hostages,” Abbas said. Addressing Hamas directly, he added, “Sons of dogs, release those you are holding. Stop giving Israel an excuse, and let us go.”

He reiterated that Hamas must transfer control of Gaza and its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.