Abbas tells ‘sons of dogs’ Hamas to free hostages, remove Israel’s ‘excuses’ for Gaza war

April 24, 2025 MeighTimbol Israel, News, Politics 0
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during a conference at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, Feb. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File)
| Published April 24, 2025

Palestinian Authority president calls on terror group to cede control of Gaza, give up its weapons, and become a political party; 23 said killed in overnight strikes in Strip

In a rare and blistering rebuke, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas publicly condemned Hamas this week, calling the group “sons of dogs” and demanding they release all Israeli hostages to eliminate Israel’s justification for its ongoing military campaign in Gaza.

A Stunning Outburst

In the unexpected statement, Abbas went so far as to call Hamas militants “sons of dogs.” He made the remarks while chairing a Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

“You sons of dogs, hand over what you have and get us out of this. Don’t give Israel an excuse. Don’t give them an excuse,” Abbas said, in a tone of frustration and urgency.

The comments were widely broadcast and have since gone viral across Arabic and Hebrew media, triggering a wave of reactions from across the political spectrum. Abbas’s unusually sharp language underscores just how fractured the Palestinian political landscape has become in the shadow of the ongoing war.

Relatives grieve over the bodies of members of the Jalis and Al-Sharbasi families, killed in an Israeli airstrike on Yaffa School in Gaza City, April 23, 2025. (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Fatah vs. Hamas: A Growing Rift

The tension between Abbas’s Fatah-led Palestinian Authority and Hamas has existed for years, but this public outburst signals a potential turning point. Since the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel that killed more than 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of over 240 hostages, Israel has responded with unrelenting force in Gaza.

As the death toll climbs and humanitarian conditions deteriorate, Abbas has increasingly positioned himself—and Fatah—as separate from Hamas’s violent strategy. His comments appear designed to highlight this distinction, while casting Hamas as the primary obstacle to ending the war.

“The terror organizations systematically violate international law while taking over civilian infrastructure, and while brutally exploiting the civilian population as a human shield for its terror attacks,” the military added.

Egypt and Qatar are still developing the truce proposal, which would include the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the entire Strip and the release of Palestinian prisoners, according to an Egyptian official and a Hamas official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.

Mixed Reactions Across the Region

Israeli leaders welcomed Abbas’s remarks, interpreting them as an admission of Hamas’s culpability. “Even Abbas knows Hamas is responsible for Gaza’s suffering,” said an Israeli government spokesperson.

The PA, which has always been more secular-leaning and filled with Left-wing officials, is seen as weak and ineffectual by the Sunni hardliners in Hamas. It was Fatah, which makes up the core of the PA, which led resistance to Israeli policy for decades prior to Hamas gaining full power over the Gaza Strip.

While anti-Israeli terrorism of the latter half of the 20th century was dominated by Marxist guerrillas, such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), recent decades have seen the rise of the Islamists.

Among Palestinians, however, reactions were divided. Some accused Abbas of using divisive language at a time when unity is needed, while others expressed appreciation for his directness, viewing it as a sign of overdue leadership.

Political analysts suggest that Abbas is attempting to reassert relevance and global credibility by distancing himself from Hamas and aligning more closely with international calls for a humanitarian resolution.

Here’s a Pros and Cons breakdown of President Mahmoud Abbas’s strong public condemnation of Hamas and his call for the release of hostages:

Pros

✅ Bold Leadership Move

  • Abbas’s statement signals decisive leadership at a time when many Palestinians and international observers see a leadership vacuum. It may reassert the Palestinian Authority’s relevance in regional politics.

✅ International Credibility

  • By calling on Hamas to release hostages and condemning their role in prolonging the conflict, Abbas aligns with international demands and strengthens his image as a potential peace partner.

✅ Pressure on Hamas

  • Publicly shaming Hamas increases pressure on the group to act, especially with growing humanitarian suffering in Gaza. Abbas’s words may embolden mediators pushing for a hostage deal.

✅ Moral Clarity

  • The blunt condemnation of violence and hostage-taking sends a strong message that such actions are unacceptable—even when committed by fellow Palestinians. This may resonate with Palestinians who are disillusioned with Hamas’s tactics.

✅ Distinguishing Fatah from Hamas

  • It clearly separates the Palestinian Authority from Hamas’s ideology and approach, potentially making Fatah more appealing to the global community as a more moderate voice.

Cons

❌ Risk of Internal Division

  • The harsh language and public criticism could deepen the political and social divide between Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, weakening overall unity.

❌ Backlash from Supporters

  • Some Palestinians view any public attack on Hamas during wartime as divisive or as siding with Israel, risking backlash against Abbas and the Palestinian Authority.

❌ Limited Influence Over Gaza

  • Critics argue that Abbas holds little sway in Hamas-controlled Gaza, so his comments may have little practical impact beyond stirring political drama.

❌ Undermining Palestinian Solidarity

  • Public infighting could weaken the broader Palestinian cause on the global stage, where unity is often emphasized in negotiations and advocacy.

❌ Potential Escalation

  • The rhetoric—particularly calling Hamas “sons of dogs”—may inflame tensions and provoke retaliatory verbal or political attacks, destabilizing internal Palestinian discourse even further.

SOURCES: THE TIMES OF ISRAEL – Abbas tells ‘sons of dogs’ Hamas to free hostages, remove Israel’s ‘excuses’ for Gaza war
THE JERUALEM POST – ‘Sons of dogs, release the hostages,’ Mahmoud Abbas tells Hamas
STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS – ‘You sons of dogs’: Palestinian President Abbas calls on Hamas to free hostages

 

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