Hamas has given the illegal occupation (Israel) excuses to commit its crimes in the Gaza Strip, where the main one is holding hostages, says Abbas at a political meeting in Ramallah.
I am the one who has to pay the price, our people have to pay the price, not Israel. My brothers, just hand them over.
In his long speech, Abbas accuses the extremist movement of causing great misfortunes to the Palestinian people. He, like before, urges Hamas to hand over power in Gaza and all weapons to the Palestinian Authority, in order to pave the way for a unified Palestinian government and an end to the war.
Power Rivals
Terror-listed and Islamist Hamas has ruled Gaza since 2006, when the movement won a democratic election. The election was followed by deadly clashes with Abbas' party Fatah, which was completely ousted from Gaza the following year. Fatah still leads the Palestinian Authority and a limited self-government on the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Hamas and Fatah have, during the Gaza War, negotiated and reached preliminary agreements on various forms of cooperation in Gaza. Israel's goal is still to eliminate Hamas, and the Israeli government insists that the movement will not be allowed to operate in Gaza in the future. It is also not positive about letting Fatah rule there.
Mahmud Abbas urges Hamas to transform itself into a political party and adhere to a democratic order.
Demanding an End to the Blockade
France, the UK, and Germany are demanding that Israel stop blocking aid deliveries to Gaza.
In a joint statement, the countries' foreign ministers warn of an acute situation that is heading towards "starvation, disease, and death". UN agencies and aid organizations have, in recent days, loudly warned of perhaps the worst humanitarian situation so far during the war.
"This must come to an end", says the European countries' statement.
"We urge Israel to immediately resume a swift and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza to meet the needs of the civilian population."
Israel has, for over 50 days, stopped all aid deliveries to the besieged and war-torn Palestinian area, alongside continued airstrikes and rising death tolls.
