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.

Sheikh Abdullah, who also serves as the UAE’s deputy prime minister, underscored the importance of halting hostilities, securing the release of hostages, and preventing further escalation in the Middle East. The meeting, attended by UAE Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri and UAE Ambassador to Israel Mohamed Mahmoud Al Khaja, marked a rare diplomatic engagement between the two nations since the Gaza war began in October 2023.

The UAE and Israel normalized relations in 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords, but bilateral interactions have been limited amid the ongoing conflict sparked by Hamas-led attacks on Israel. Saar noted on X that this was his second meeting with Sheikh Abdullah, signaling a cautious resumption of dialogue.

During the talks, Sheikh Abdullah called for a “serious political horizon” to restart negotiations for a two-state solution, reaffirming the UAE’s longstanding support for the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination. He also stressed the need to curb extremism, tensions, and violence across the region, the ministry statement said.

The meeting coincided with Israel’s intensified military operations in Gaza, which resumed last month after the collapse of a US-mediated truce. The Hamas-run health ministry reports that over 1,330 Palestinians have been killed since the offensive restarted, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to 50,695 — numbers cannot be independently verified. The war erupted when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 251 hostages, of whom 59 remain in Gaza—24 believed to be alive.

Sheikh Abdullah’s push for peace reflects growing regional concern over Gaza’s humanitarian toll, with the UAE positioning itself as a mediator advocating for stability and Palestinian rights amid a conflict showing no signs of abating.

A “Notice to Appear” (NTA) was sent by ICE, marking the initial phase of a deportation process. The email, reportedly received by Taal’s legal team on Friday, invited him to present himself at the Homeland Security Investigations Office in Syracuse at a mutually agreed time for formal service of the NTA and surrender to ICE custody.

Taal’s attorneys have strongly condemned the development, labeling it an attack on free speech. They emphasized that their client had already taken legal action to prevent the deportation of foreign protesters, highlighting concerns over political retaliation. Taal has also claimed he was doxxed for his activism.

This move aligns with President Donald Trump’s hardline stance on foreign pro-Hamas demonstrators. Trump has previously vowed to deport such protesters, asserting they support Hamas and hold antisemitic views. Protesters, including some Jewish groups, reject this characterization, arguing that their advocacy for Palestinian rights is distinct from support for Hamas or antisemitism.

Taal was previously disciplined by Cornell University after he and other activists disrupted a career fair that included defense industry recruiters. Following this incident, he was ordered to continue his studies remotely.

ICE has not provided a timeline for Taal’s potential deportation and has yet to issue an official comment.

Taal’s case is not an isolated one. Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student, was arrested earlier this month and is challenging his detention. Trump has publicly accused Khalil, without evidence, of supporting Hamas. Similarly, Badar Khan Suri, an Indian student at Georgetown University, was detained this week. His lawyer has denied any connection to Hamas, and a federal judge has temporarily blocked his deportation.

The administration’s intensified deportation efforts have drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, which argue that these actions infringe upon free speech and the right to protest. The legal battles surrounding these cases are expected to continue as advocacy groups rally in support of the affected students.