Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas unleashes unprecedented criticism against Hamas, calling them “sons of dogs” and demanding they disarm to end the devastating Gaza conflict.
Quick Takes
- Abbas made his strongest criticism of Hamas in 18 months, demanding they release hostages and end the war
- The PA president called for Hamas to transform into a political party and surrender control of Gaza
- Hamas rejected Abbas’s remarks, condemning his “derogatory language” toward Palestinians
- The rift between Hamas and Abbas’s Fatah party has prevented unified Palestinian leadership since 2007
- Over 51,300 Palestinians have died in Gaza since the conflict began, according to local health authorities
Abbas Issues Harshest Condemnation of Hamas Since War Began
In a stunning escalation of rhetoric, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has publicly lambasted Hamas, referring to them as “sons of dogs” while demanding they release Israeli hostages and relinquish military control of Gaza. The comments, made during a televised address, represent Abbas’s most severe criticism of the militant group since the Israel-Hamas war erupted following the October 7, 2023 attack. Abbas claimed Hamas has provided Israel with “excuses” to continue its military campaign in Gaza, where the death toll has now surpassed 51,300 according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
The 88-year-old Abbas, who leads the Fatah party and the Palestinian Authority that governs parts of the West Bank, called for Hamas to transform into a purely political entity. “Release the hostages and be done with it,” Abbas demanded in his address, suggesting that doing so would remove Israel’s justification for continuing military operations. This marks a significant shift in Abbas’s public positioning, as he had previously been criticized for not taking a stronger stance on the conflict that has devastated Gaza.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas called Hamas "son of bitches" and demanded them to release captives held in Gaza, calling it the main factor fuelling Israeli attacks on the territory, during a conference in Ramallah. pic.twitter.com/8WRy4WGkHe
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) April 23, 2025
Hamas Rejects Abbas’s Demands and Ceasefire Proposal
Hamas officials quickly condemned Abbas’s remarks, with spokesman Bassem Naim expressing outrage that Abbas would “describe a significant and integral part of his own people using derogatory language.” The militant group has consistently rejected demands to disarm or surrender control of Gaza, which it has governed since forcibly ousting Fatah in 2007. Hamas recently dismissed an Israeli ceasefire proposal that included disarmament provisions in exchange for a pause in hostilities and the release of some hostages.
Instead, Hamas continues to insist on a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and refuses to give up its weapons arsenal. This entrenched position has complicated ceasefire negotiations even as humanitarian conditions worsen in the territory. Israel recently blocked aid to Gaza starting March 2, resuming its offensive two weeks later in what it described as an effort to pressure Hamas to release remaining hostages. The blockade has prompted international concern, with the United Nations warning of severe shortages and malnutrition affecting Gaza’s population.
Palestinian Leadership Divide Hampers Unity Efforts
The bitter exchange between Abbas and Hamas underscores the deep divide in Palestinian leadership that has persisted for nearly two decades. While Abbas’s Palestinian Authority maintains limited governance in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, it has no authority in Gaza. Many Palestinians view Abbas as increasingly irrelevant, having remained in power without elections since 2005. His administration faces criticism for corruption and cooperation with Israeli security forces.
The conflict that prompted Abbas’s outburst began when Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 people in southern Israel and took 251 hostages on October 7, 2023. Israel’s subsequent military campaign has resulted in widespread destruction across Gaza. While Britain, France, and Germany have called on Israel to end its blockade and allow humanitarian aid, Israeli officials maintain they are acting in accordance with international law. The continuing hostilities and leadership divide leave Palestinians without unified representation during one of the most devastating periods in recent history.
