**Abbas Criticizes Hamas in Urgent Call for Hostage Release and Control of Gaza**

The Palestinian Authority president's remarks underline the deepening rift between rival factions as humanitarian crises escalate in Gaza.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas delivered an impassioned speech in Ramallah, condemning Hamas in strong terms, referring to them as "sons of dogs." He urged the militant group to release the hostages it holds in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, disarm, and relinquish control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority in a bid to end the war.

Abbas criticized Hamas for providing Israel with "excuses" to continue its military actions in Gaza, emphasizing that their actions exacerbate the suffering of Palestinians. This address marks Abbas's most forceful denunciation of Hamas since the start of the conflict, which has now lasted for 18 months. In the speech, he demanded, "Release the hostages and be done with it," imploring Hamas to act decisively to mitigate the violence.

A spokesperson for Hamas replied sharply, denouncing Abbas's "derogatory language" directed towards a significant segment of the Palestinian populace. The exchange underscores the long-standing divide between Abbas's establishment, which is predominantly aligned with the Fatah movement, and Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, following a contentious electoral victory.

In the backdrop of these tensions, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with ongoing Israeli blockade conditions reportedly causing severe shortages of basic supplies. Following a deadly airstrike that killed civilians in a shelter, humanitarian agencies and foreign governments raised alarms. The UK, France, and Germany's foreign ministers issued a joint statement urging Israel to lift the blockade to restore humanitarian aid, emphasizing the necessity of compliance with international law regarding aid deliveries.

The Israeli military has intensified its operations against Hamas since an unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant loss of life and mass abductions. The health ministry in Gaza reports over 51,300 fatalities since the beginning of the conflict, spurring calls for diplomatic resolution and humanitarian considerations.

While Abbas claims a readiness to govern Gaza in a post-war scenario, he faces criticism from Palestinians who view both his leadership and its collaboration with Israel as ineffective. The rift with Hamas prevents any unified Palestinian authority, complicating the prospect of peace and stability for the region.