The "Palestinian Authority" headed by Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas declared Thursday a "national day of mourning" because of the killing of 18 Arabs in IDF attacks in Gaza today. Abbas blamed Israel for the escalation in Gaza, and called on the Israeli government "to stop its military attacks on the Palestinian people immediately, and cease the acts of death and destruction that claim so many victims."

Abbas called upon all sides to cooperate with Egyptian efforts to achieve a lull between Israel and the PA.