Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas unleashed a scathing verbal attack on Hamas, calling them “sons of dogs” and demanding they surrender control of Gaza to end the devastating 18-month war with Israel.
Quick Takes
- Abbas delivered his strongest criticism of Hamas since the war began, demanding they release hostages, disarm, and relinquish control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority
- Hamas officials condemned Abbas’s “derogatory language” and rejected his demands, insisting on full Israeli withdrawal before any ceasefire
- The Palestinian Authority and Hamas have been divided since 2007, preventing unified Palestinian leadership
- Abbas has remained in power without elections and is viewed as increasingly irrelevant by many Palestinians
- Over 51,300 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began, according to the territory’s health ministry
Abbas Lashes Out at Hamas Leadership
In an unprecedented televised address, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas harshly criticized Hamas, using shockingly direct language by calling them “sons of dogs” and demanding they release Israeli hostages to end Israel’s “excuses” for continuing the war in Gaza. This represents Abbas’s most forceful condemnation of the militant group since the conflict erupted following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The 88-year-old president, who has led the Palestinian Authority without elections since 2005, explicitly called for Hamas to transform into a legitimate political party and surrender control of Gaza.
Abbas’s stark message included a direct command to Hamas: “release the hostages and be done with it.” His unusually blunt language reflects growing frustration with Hamas’s refusal to accept ceasefire proposals that would end the devastating conflict that has claimed over 51,300 Palestinian lives according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. The Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited control in the West Bank but has no authority in Gaza, has been largely sidelined during the conflict, with Abbas facing criticism for ineffective leadership during the crisis.
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 Demands and Ceasefire Proposals
Hamas officials swiftly condemned Abbas’s comments, with senior figure Bassem Naim expressing shock that the Palestinian president would “describe a significant and integral part of his own people using derogatory language.” The militant group has steadfastly rejected recent Israeli ceasefire proposals that included requirements for Hamas’s disarmament in exchange for a pause in hostilities and the release of some hostages. Hamas continues to insist on a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza before any agreement and refuses to surrender its weapons arsenal.
The rift between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority has persisted since 2007, when Hamas violently seized control of Gaza following its election victory. This division has prevented the formation of a unified Palestinian leadership, complicating peace efforts and governance. Abbas’s recent speech highlighted his desire to reassert Palestinian Authority control over Gaza, potentially under the framework of a future ceasefire agreement, though Hamas has shown no willingness to surrender its authority in the territory it has controlled for 17 years.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Conflict Continues
The ongoing conflict has created a catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. Israel implemented a blockade on aid entering Gaza starting March 2, resuming its offensive two weeks later in an effort to pressure Hamas to release remaining hostages. According to Palestinian health officials, at least 1,928 people have been killed in Gaza since the blockade began. International organizations, including the United Nations, have warned of severe shortages and widespread malnutrition throughout the territory.
Multiple Western nations, including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, have called on Israel to end the blockade and allow humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza. Israeli officials maintain they are acting in accordance with international law and claim sufficient aid was delivered during a recent ceasefire period. The conflict began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the taking of 251 hostages, of which many remain in captivity in Gaza.
