Hamas serving U.S. interests, Palestinian president says
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during a meeting of the Central Council of the Palestinian Liberation Organization in the West Bank city of Ramallah today. Abbas is accused his Hamas rivals of serving U.S. interests by refusing to relinquish control of the Gaza Strip to him. Abbas has said he fears that the U.S. is planning a proposal that would offer the Palestinians limited statehood in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and some autonomy in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
RAMALLAH, West Bank >> Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is accusing his Hamas rivals of serving U.S. interests by refusing to relinquish control of the Gaza Strip.
Abbas fears the U.S. is planning a proposal that would offer the Palestinians limited statehood in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and some autonomy in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Abbas demands full independence in both territories.
In a speech today, Abbas said that Hamas’ refusal to give up control of Gaza is “accepting the thoughts of the enemy, who plans to have a mini state in Gaza and autonomy in West Bank.”
Hamas seized control of Gaza from Abbas’ forces in 2007, and reconciliation efforts have repeatedly failed.
Abbas cut off ties with the U.S. after President Donald Trump recognized contested Jerusalem as Israel’s capital last year.
