Abbas is “ready to protect Hamas” if they join the PLO
Director of Palestinian Center for Strategic Studies Muhammad Al-Masri: "Preserving the sole legal representative [the PLO], which is the national identity that unifies [us], is what can now shield and act as a mantle or umbrella to protect Hamas. This is a way out for it... If Hamas wishes to continue in future political life and be part of our Palestinian social fabric, it needs... to act wisely… [PA] President [Abbas] sent [PLO Executive Committee Secretary] Hussein Al-Sheikh to tour three states to convey a message that we are ready to protect Hamas."
[Official PA TV News, March 25, 2025]
Muhammad Al-Masri is also a former head of PA intelligence in the Gaza Strip and former deputy head of PA general intelligence.