Abbas blames Hamas for Palestinian deaths in Gaza: “Sons of dogs, hand over the Israeli hostages”
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas: "The first priority is stopping the Israeli war of annihilation to which the Gaza Strip is being subjected (i.e., Israel's response to Hamas' Oct. 7 war). This really needs to stop. Every day there are hundreds of fatalities [in Gaza]. Why? 'Because we [in Hamas] don't want to hand over the American hostage.' Sons of dogs, hand over those who are in your custody and free us from this issue, and withhold from them [Israelis] the excuses… You [Hamas] have [Israeli] hostages, hand them over."
[Official PA TV, April 23, 2025]
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas gave this speech at the PLO Central Council.