Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas publicly condemned the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 for the first time. About this informs The Times of Israel.
“What Hamas did on October 7, killing and taking hostages of civilians, is unacceptable and deserving of condemnation, and Hamas must immediately release all hostages and prisoners.” – wrote Abbas in a letter to the President of France Emmanuel Macron and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman, who this month will co-chair the UN conference aimed at reaching a decision on the creation of two states.
While Abbas has long rejected violence as a tool to advance the Palestinian right to self-determination, he has refrained from publicly condemning Hamas’ actions, and one of his aides said he would not do so as long as Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip continues. However, Abbas hopes to enlist the support of the international community so that the Palestinian Authority can replace Hamas as the authority in Gaza, the newspaper said.
It will be recalled that since October 2023, Israel has been waging war against Hamas in response to its attack on Israeli territory, the killing of civilians and the abduction of more than 100 hostages, some of whom were released or killed. During the ground operation, which was accompanied by massive bombing, approximately 40,000 people died in the Gaza Strip. people
After lengthy discussions on a cease-fire plan, on January 15, 2025, Israel and Hamas signed a cease-fire agreement. On February 10, Hamas accused Israel of violating ceasefire agreements in the Gaza Strip and said it would not hand over the hostages. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would resume active hostilities in the Gaza Strip. Later, the exchange was continued. However, after Hamas refused to extend the first phase of the cease-fire agreement, Israel announced the suspension of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
