Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Hamas Wednesday, April 23, to release all remaining hostages and relinquish control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. Abbas argued that as long as Hamas continues to hold hostages, it provides Israel with “excuses” to continue its military operations in Gaza.
What did Abbas say?
In his statement, President Abbas said, “I’m the one paying the price, our people are paying the price, not Israel. My brother, just hand them [the hostages] over…Every day, there are deaths. Why? Because they [Hamas] refuse to hand over the American hostage,” reportedly referring to Edan Alexander, an American who is among the hostages Israel has demanded to be released in a recent proposal rejected by Hamas. Abbas continued: “You sons of dogs, hand over what you have and get us out of this.”
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How did Hamas respond?
Hamas responded to Abbas’ comments, saying they were “insulting.”
Hamas later released a video of an Israeli hostage who identified himself as 48-year-old Omri Miran, and is reportedly alive in a Gaza tunnel.
What is the latest on Israeli military operations?
Abbas’ statement comes after Israel violated a ceasefire agreement and resumed strikes on Gaza in March. Since then, nearly 2,000 more people have been killed, bringing the total documented death toll among Palestinians up to around 51,000.
Israel has also reimposed its blockade of the Strip. European countries including France, Germany and the United Kingdom have requested that Israel lift that blockade to allow humanitarian aid into the enclave. The European powers warn that without further aid Gazans face “an acute risk of starvation, epidemic disease and death.”
In a joint statement, officials from the European nations said, “We urge Israel to immediately restart an unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza in order to meet the needs of all civilians.”
Israeli officials have argued that the blockade has succeeded in choking off cash flows to Hamas, forcing the group to delay payments to its fighters and hurting its recruitment efforts.
Why is Abbas under pressure now?
Abbas’ call for Hamas to free the remaining hostages came while he spoke at a leadership council, where he is expected to name a successor within days. The Palestinian president reportedly faces pressure from Arab and Western nations to do so, as some question his Palestinian Authority’s ability to significantly contribute to ongoing peace negotiations. Public protests against Hamas within Gaza itself have also gained momentum in recent months, highlighting a rare opportunity for political change.
What about a new ceasefire?
Negotiations on a new ceasefire have so far failed to materialize as Hamas’ delegation remains in Egypt for new talks with mediators from Qatar and Egypt.
Abbas has previously demanded Hamas put its militants under his Palestinian Authority’s control, but has not called for it since the start of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, following Hamas’ terror attacks in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
