Abbas Condemns Hamas: 5 Shocking Revelations About Gaza Crisis and Palestinian Tensions

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas launched an unprecedented public rebuke of Hamas during a PLO council meeting, accusing the group of prolonging Israel’s devastating Gaza offensive by refusing to release remaining captives. In blunt language, Abbas demanded Hamas relinquish its hostages—including American-Israeli Adi Alexander—arguing their continued detention gives Israel justification to continue a war that has killed over 51,000 Palestinians.

The remarks highlight deepening fissures between Abbas’s Fatah-led PA, which governs parts of the West Bank, and Hamas, Gaza’s de facto rulers since their 2007 split. Abbas framed the crisis as a consequence of Hamas’s resistance tactics, claiming Palestinians—not Israel—bear the brunt of retaliation. Meanwhile, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich drew condemnation for dismissing hostage retrieval as secondary to dismantling Gaza’s governance, reflecting hardline calls to annex the enclave.

The war has ravaged Gaza’s infrastructure, with UN agencies warning of famine, while Abbas’s criticism risks further alienating Palestinians disillusioned by his authoritarian governance and security coordination with Israel. As mediation efforts stall, Abbas’s outburst underscores the collapse of Palestinian political unity amid a humanitarian catastrophe. 

Abbas Condemns Hamas: 5 Shocking Revelations About Gaza Crisis and Palestinian Tensions

Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a scathing critique of Hamas during a recent PLO council session, marking a dramatic escalation in tensions between the rival Palestinian factions. Abbas accused Hamas of exacerbating Gaza’s humanitarian crisis by refusing to release remaining Israeli captives, bluntly stating, “You sons of bitches, hand over what you have and get us out of this.” His remarks underscore the deepening rift between the PA and Hamas, as Israel’s devastating military campaign in Gaza enters its 19th month.  

Context of the Conflict 

Abbas’s outburst reflects mounting frustration over Hamas’s refusal to release an estimated 58 captives still held in Gaza, including 34 whom Israel claims are deceased. The PA president argued that Hamas’s actions have provided Israel with a pretext to continue its offensive, which has killed over 51,000 Palestinians and displaced 1.9 million. “Every day there are hundreds of deaths. Why? They don’t want to hand over the American hostage,” Abbas said, referencing Adi Alexander, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen among the captives.  

Political Divisions and Historical Tensions 

The PA, which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, has long been at odds with Hamas, the de facto authority in Gaza since their 2007 split following Hamas’s electoral victory. Abbas’s administration has faced criticism for its security coordination with Israel and perceived inaction against Israeli settlement expansion, while Hamas has positioned itself as a resistance movement. Abbas’s latest remarks highlight his view that Hamas’s strategies have backfired, leaving Palestinians to bear the consequences.  

Israeli Government’s Stance 

Meanwhile, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sparked outrage this week by dismissing hostage retrieval as “not the most important” priority, instead advocating for the permanent dismantling of Gaza’s governance. His comments align with far-right calls to annex Gaza, further complicating ceasefire negotiations. Analysts suggest such rhetoric undermines efforts to secure a truce, even as international pressure mounts over Israel’s conduct in Gaza, including genocide allegations at the International Court of Justice. 

Broader Implications 

Abbas’s rare public condemnation signals a potential shift in the PA’s approach to Hamas, which could influence regional diplomacy. Egypt and Qatar, key mediators in previous negotiations, now face heightened challenges in bridging intra-Palestinian divides. The PA’s credibility, already weakened by allegations of corruption and authoritarianism, risks further erosion if Abbas is seen as prioritizing political point-scoring over Palestinian unity.  

Human Toll and International Response 

The war has decimated Gaza’s infrastructure, with UN agencies warning of famine and disease outbreaks. Despite global calls for a ceasefire, Israel’s blockade and military operations persist, drawing condemnation from human rights organizations. Abbas’s plea underscores the desperation of Palestinian leadership to halt the bloodshed, albeit through rhetoric that may deepen factional fractures.  

Looking Ahead 

The PA’s ability to leverage this moment remains uncertain. While Abbas seeks to position himself as a pragmatic actor, his limited influence in Gaza and declining domestic support pose significant hurdles. For Hamas, the refusal to release captives without guarantees of a permanent ceasefire and prisoner exchanges reflects its insistence on strategic concessions—a stance that resonates with many Palestinians disillusioned by the PA’s governance.  

As the conflict drags on, Abbas’s fiery remarks reveal a leadership grappling with its irrelevance in shaping Gaza’s fate, even as the civilian toll mounts. The path to reconciliation between Palestinian factions appears increasingly narrow, leaving Gaza’s population trapped between war, political fragmentation, and a looming humanitarian collapse.