On Saturday, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas accused Hamas of prolonging the conflict in the Gaza Strip, intensifying the discord between his Fatah faction and the Islamist group.
The confrontation followed an Israeli airstrike targeting Hamas military chief Mohammad Deif and his aides, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 90 Palestinians and injuries to around 300, according to Hamas-run health sources. The Israeli military asserts that the strike targeted a Hamas compound where gunmen were assembled.
While the fate of Deif remains uncertain, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the death of his deputy, Rafa’a Salameh. In response to the strike, PA official Munir Al-Jaghoub criticized Hamas for allegedly hiding among civilians rather than confronting the Israeli military directly. This statement drew sharp condemnation from Hamas spokesperson Jihad Taha, who urged Fatah to denounce Al-Jaghoub’s remarks and align with Palestinians against Israeli actions.
Hamas accused Abbas of siding with Israel, with senior officials Sami Abu Zuhri and Bassem Naim claiming that Abbas’s statements reflect a partnership with “the Zionist enemy” and its actions in Gaza. The PA, however, countered by condemning the Israeli and U.S. roles in the destruction of Gaza, blaming them for the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Hamas has been criticized for its refusal to negotiate or release hostages taken during its October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages.
The conflict has led to a high death toll on both sides, with the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reporting over 38,000 deaths, while Israel claims about 15,000 of these were combatants. The PA’s criticism and Hamas’s response highlight the deepening rift and the failure of reconciliation efforts, despite ongoing mediation by Arab, Chinese, and Russian representatives.
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