Speaking during an address to his party congress in Ramallah, Abbas reaffirmed commitments to institutional reform but stopped short of announcing a timetable for any vote.

“We renew our full commitment to continuing work on implementing all the reform measures we pledged,” Abbas said. “We are ready to hold presidential and legislative elections.”The remarks come amid increasing pressure from the United States, the European Union and several Arab governments for the Palestinian leadership to modernize institutions, address corruption allegations and restore political credibility.

The Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in parts of the occupied West Bank, has faced growing criticism from Palestinians over accusations of political stagnation, weak governance and declining public trust.

No presidential election has been held since 2005, when Abbas was elected following the death of Yasser Arafat. Parliamentary elections have repeatedly been postponed amid deep divisions between Abbas’ Fatah movement and rival faction Hamas.

International calls for reform have intensified alongside wider diplomatic discussions over the future governance of Palestinian territories amid continuing regional instability and the conflict in Gaza Strip.

Speaking during an address to his party congress in Ramallah, Abbas reaffirmed commitments to institutional reform but stopped short of announcing a timetable for any vote.“We renew our full commitment to continuing work on implementing all the reform measures we pledged,” Abbas said.

“We are ready to hold presidential and legislative elections.”The remarks come amid increasing pressure from the United States, the European Union and several Arab governments for the Palestinian leadership to modernize institutions, address corruption allegations and restore political credibility.

The Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in parts of the occupied West Bank, has faced growing criticism from Palestinians over accusations of political stagnation, weak governance and declining public trust.

No presidential election has been held since 2005, when Abbas was elected following the death of Yasser Arafat. Parliamentary elections have repeatedly been postponed amid deep divisions between Abbas’ Fatah movement and rival faction Hamas.

International calls for reform have intensified alongside wider diplomatic discussions over the future governance of Palestinian territories amid continuing regional instability and the conflict in Gaza Strip.

The bill passed the 120-seat Knesset by a vote of 93-0, with remaining lawmakers absent or abstaining, reflecting broad political backing for prosecuting suspects linked to the deadliest attack in Israel’s history.

The legislation creates a separate judicial framework to try individuals accused of involvement in the assault led by Hamas militants, who killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages during the cross-border attack in October 2023.

Under the new law, judges will be allowed to impose capital punishment through a majority decision rather than requiring unanimity. Appeals against verdicts or sentences will be heard by a dedicated appeals court rather than Israel’s regular judicial system.

The trials are also expected to be livestreamed from a courtroom in Jerusalem, prompting comparisons by critics to the televised 1962 trial of Nazi official Adolf Eichmann, whose execution remains the only civilian use of the death penalty in Israel’s history.

Israeli and international rights organizations criticized the measure, arguing that it weakens fair trial protections and risks politicizing judicial proceedings.
Groups including Adalah, Hamoked and the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel said accountability for the Oct. 7 attack should not come at the expense of established legal standards.

Critics also raised concerns over the admissibility and reliability of evidence potentially obtained through coercive interrogation methods, as well as the impact of broadcasting proceedings before convictions are secured.

The legislation is separate from another law passed earlier this year authorizing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis. That measure applies only to future cases and does not cover suspects detained over the 2023 attack.

According to Israeli rights organizations, about 1,300 Palestinians from Gaza Strip remain in Israeli detention without formal charges, while thousands more have been detained and later released since the start of the war.

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, launched in response to the Oct. 7 assault, has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, though United Nations agencies and international observers have generally considered its casualty reporting credible.

Simcha Rothman, a sponsor of the bill and member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition, said the legislation demonstrated national unity around securing accountability for the attacks.

Medics said one Palestinian was killed and two others wounded in an Israeli airstrike near the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, while a separate Israeli tank shelling in the central part of the enclave killed another person and injured several more.

There was no immediate comment from Israel on the reported strikes.Hostilities have persisted in Gaza despite the truce, with near-daily incidents reported by local authorities. Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of violating the ceasefire terms.At Al-Shifa Hospital, relatives gathered to mourn one of the victims, identified as Mohammed Al-Ghandour, according to hospital officials.

Witnesses described scenes of grief as family members assembled outside the morgue.Local medics say at least 830 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect, while Israeli authorities report that militants have killed four Israeli soldiers over the same period.

Israel says its operations are aimed at preventing attacks by Hamas and other militant groups.More than 72,500 Palestinians have been killed since the Gaza war began in October 2023, according to Gaza health authorities, with civilians accounting for a majority of the casualties.

Since the ceasefire, Israeli forces have maintained control over more than half of the enclave, where large-scale destruction and displacement have left much of the population of over 2 million living in makeshift shelters or damaged buildings along the coast.

The authorities said that since a ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10 last year, 830 Palestinians have been killed and 2,345 injured, indicating continued casualties despite the truce.

Officials added that many victims are believed to remain buried under rubble, suggesting the overall death toll could rise further as recovery efforts continue.

The figures, provided by health authorities in Gaza, could not be independently verified.

The move is expected to increase the daily flow of food, fuel and medicine through supervised crossings while military operations continue in parts of northern and central Gaza.

Aid agencies welcomed the decision but said implementation and safe access for relief convoys remain critical amid ongoing fighting and infrastructure collapse.

The talks, involving a group described as Trump’s “Board of Peace,” focused on whether DP World could partner in overseeing logistics for humanitarian aid and commercial goods entering the Gaza Strip, according to the report.

Details of the proposed arrangement, including governance structures or timelines, were not disclosed. Reuters could not independently verify the discussions.

Any such initiative would come amid ongoing international efforts to plan for reconstruction and aid delivery in Gaza, where infrastructure has been severely damaged by conflict.

The incident occurred during routine water delivery at the Mansoura water filling point, a key facility supplying Gaza City, UNICEF said in a statement, adding that two other individuals were injured in the attack.The agency said it was “outraged” by the killings and stressed that humanitarian personnel, civilians and essential infrastructure must be protected under international humanitarian law.

It urged Israeli authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.Israel’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.The development comes amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has been in place since October, ending two years of full-scale conflict.

Despite the truce, Israeli forces remain deployed across a large depopulated zone covering more than half of the Gaza Strip, while Hamas continues to control the remaining coastal territory.Violence has persisted since the ceasefire, with local medics reporting more than 750 Palestinian deaths, while militants have killed four Israeli soldiers.

Both sides have accused each other of violating the terms of the truce.UNICEF said the suspension of activities at the water site could further affect access to clean water for civilians in Gaza, where humanitarian conditions remain severe.

The meeting brought together senior diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia to discuss the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and ongoing regional efforts to promote peace, humanitarian support, and long-term stability.

The gathering demonstrated a strong commitment by regional powers to finding peaceful and sustainable solutions to the conflict and reaffirmed their collective responsibility toward supporting the Palestinian people.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed various diplomatic initiatives and recent peace proposals aimed at bringing an end to the violence in Gaza.

Emphasis was placed on the need for continued coordination among Muslim and regional countries to ensure the protection of civilians, the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and the establishment of a lasting ceasefire.

The ministers expressed their unified stance on the importance of dialogue, de-escalation, and respect for international law as foundations for achieving justice and stability in the region.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s unwavering position in supporting all efforts that lead to peace, security, and humanitarian relief in Gaza.

He highlighted the Kingdom’s consistent call for the protection of innocent lives and the delivery of aid to those affected by the ongoing crisis.

Saudi Arabia’s approach focuses on promoting unity among Arab and Islamic countries while emphasizing diplomatic engagement as the key to achieving a sustainable resolution that ensures dignity and peace for the Palestinian people.

The discussions also addressed the outcomes of the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit and the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which was recently held in Riyadh.

These initiatives underscore Saudi Arabia’s leading role in advancing diplomatic efforts that uphold the rights of Palestinians and support the establishment of an independent state based on international resolutions.

The participants agreed on the need to continue these coordinated efforts to ensure that peace initiatives are translated into tangible progress on the ground.

The Istanbul meeting provided an opportunity for participating nations to strengthen cooperation in humanitarian and diplomatic fields.

The ministers discussed strategies to enhance the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, especially in areas most affected by conflict, and reiterated their commitment to supporting international agencies and organizations working to deliver essential supplies.

They also emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication channels to prevent further escalation and to safeguard regional stability.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s participation reflects Saudi Arabia’s consistent diplomatic engagement in promoting peace and solidarity across the region.

His presence underscored the Kingdom’s active role in international diplomacy, fostering constructive dialogue, and encouraging unity among nations in addressing humanitarian challenges. Saudi Arabia continues to advocate for a fair and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue that aligns with the principles of justice, coexistence, and mutual respect.

The meeting concluded with a shared understanding among participating countries to intensify their joint diplomatic efforts, strengthen coordination with international partners, and work toward a permanent cessation of hostilities.

The leaders emphasized the importance of sustained humanitarian access, rebuilding infrastructure in Gaza, and supporting peacebuilding measures that foster hope and resilience among its people.

Through its ongoing diplomatic outreach and humanitarian initiatives, Saudi Arabia remains a key regional player in advancing peace, cooperation, and stability in the Middle East.

The Kingdom’s continued involvement in international discussions like the Istanbul meeting highlights its dedication to fostering global consensus on peace, supporting humanitarian relief, and promoting a future where nations can coexist peacefully through dialogue and shared responsibility.

Abbas, 88, did not mince words, referring to Hamas fighters as “sons of dogs” and blaming the group for prolonging the ongoing war in Gaza by giving Israel justification for its continued offensive.

“Sons of dogs, release the hostages and block their justifications,” Abbas declared, adding, “Israel’s military campaign has turned into the Israeli genocide that the Gaza Strip is being subjected to.”

While Israel denies accusations of genocide, asserting its military actions target Hamas in self-defense, Abbas’s remarks underscore a dramatic escalation in tensions between Palestinian factions and a notable shift in his public stance toward Hamas.

A Stark Shift in Tone

Though Abbas has often criticized Hamas, Wednesday’s scathing address marked his most direct public attack. The timing coincides with renewed ceasefire efforts led by regional powers including Egypt, which has proposed disarming Hamas as a step toward peace.

Abbas refrained from explicitly condemning Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel but reiterated his longstanding opposition to violence against civilians and his advocacy for a two-state solution.

“Hamas must end its control over the Gaza Strip, hand over all its affairs to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the legitimate Palestinian National Authority, and refrain from carrying arms,” he said. “It must transform into a political party operating within the framework of international legitimacy.”

Hamas Fires Back

Hamas responded swiftly, rejecting Abbas’s accusations and challenging his legitimacy as Palestinian leader. The group claimed Abbas was shifting blame for Israel’s “crimes” onto the Palestinian people, calling his statements “suspicious and dangerous.”

The bitter rivalry between Fatah—Abbas’s party—and Hamas has long fractured Palestinian politics. Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 following a violent power struggle, and repeated reconciliation attempts have failed, despite agreements in Cairo and Beijing involving numerous Palestinian factions.

Internal Rift and International Implications

Abbas accused Hamas of inflicting “severe damage” on the Palestinian cause for independence. “It has provided the occupation with dangerous free services, whether intentionally or unintentionally,” he said. “Hostage-taking gave the criminal occupation one of its most prominent excuses to carry out its conspiracies and crimes in Gaza.”

He renewed his appeal for an international peace conference and the enforcement of existing UN Security Council resolutions, aiming to break the impasse and reignite efforts toward a lasting solution.

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens and political divisions deepen, Abbas’s sharp rhetoric signals a critical moment in Palestinian politics—and raises new questions about the path forward for both Palestinian governance and the broader conflict.