Abbas talks tough, but releases terrorists
Abbas talks tough, but releases terroristsIsrael news photo: PMW

Palestinian Authority Chairman and Fatah terrorist group head Mahmoud Abbas has harshly criticized the rival Hamas terrorist group in recent months. However, he has also continued to release Hamas terrorists from prison and to seek reconciliation with the group.

Last week, Abbas twice accused Hamas leaders of fleeing Gaza in ambulances as Israel began the Cast Lead counterterror offensive in December, 2008. His remarks were picked up by PA media, and caused rage among top members of Hamas, who said they planned to respond with a slander suit.

Abbas has also accused Hamas of bringing Operation Cast Lead on itself and upon the residents of Gaza by refusing to come to a ceasefire agreement with Israel.

However, despite his harsh criticism, Abbas has continued to seek reconciliation with Hamas, which until mid-2007 shared control over the PA with Fatah. The two organizations are engaged in ongoing negotiations, mediated by Egypt, with the goal of resuming joint control of the PA. During negotiations, Abbas has taken the step of releasing Hamas terrorists from PA prisons on multiple occasions.

Hamas leaders have insisted that any reconciliation deal with Fatah include a clause requiring PA troops to respect the “right to resistance” -- that is, PA Arabs' “right” to carry out terrorist attacks targeting Israelis.