Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said that the actions and policies of the Islamic terrorist group, Hamas, do not represent the people of the nation.
The Palestine President was quoted to have said this in a phone call with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, news agency, WAFA, reports.
According to the news outlet, Abbas “affirmed his rejection of the killing of civilians on both sides and called for the release of civilians, prisoners and detainees on both sides”.
Abbas has been president since 2005 and represents the Fatah political party, which has a bitter rivalry with Hamas.
Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel has led to the death of more than 1,400 Israelis, while a series of bombings by Israel in Gaza has led to more than 2,500 deaths.Israeli troops have continued to amass near Gaza ahead of an expected ground offensive targeting Hamas militants.
According to BBC, Israel has told Palestinians living in the north of Gaza to move south.
Hundreds of thousands have done so – doubling the population of the southern city of Khan Younis overnight.
The conditions for people in Gaza are worsening, with water, food, power and medicines in scarce supply. The UN says the Middle East “is on the verge of the abyss” and asks Israel to let humanitarian aid in.