Palestinian Authority minister of Agriculture and Social Welfare Mahmoud Al-Habbash on Sunday said that "ending Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip is a national, moral and religious duty." Speaking on the radio to Israeli journalist Gal Burger, Al-Habbash said that the removal of Hamas from power "should be accomplished as soon as possible." The minister did not preach toppling Hamas by military force, and other unnamed PA officials have already demanded the same, Ma’an news learned during a phone call to Burger.
According to Burger, Al-Habbash called on the Gaza population to peacefully counter Hamas. “Hamas does not have mercy on anybody in Gaza, and they oppress all, including media and political activities,” he said. Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum, commenting on Al-Habbash's comments, said it was an attempt to damage national dialogue and hold his position. “Al-Habbash’s comments imply that he will lose if a national consensus government is formed because some Fatah leaders don’t want him in it.”