Abbas calls for overthrow of Hamas

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today called for the overthrow of Gaza’s Islamic Hamas rulers in his first explicit demand for their removal.

“We have to bring down this bunch, which took over Gaza with armed force, and is abusing the sufferings and pains of our people,” he said.

Hamas seized power in Gaza in June after defeating forces loyal to Abbas’ Fatah movement during five days of fighting.

Abbas spoke just days after Hamas opened fire on a mass Fatah rally in Gaza this week. Eight civilians were killed and dozens were wounded in Fatah’s strongest challenge to Hamas in Gaza since the takeover.

In the past, Abbas, who has set up a separate government in the West Bank, has not gone beyond demanding that Hamas apologise for overrunning Gaza and reverse the takeover.

His Abbas aides said he was not calling for an uprising, but used strong language against the Hamas regime because he was so furious about the bloodshed at the demonstration.

Despite the tough words he wields little control over Gaza. And following Monday’s rally, Hamas has taken new steps to shore up its rule.

Hamas rounded up more than 400 Fatah activists this week, and yesterday announced media restrictions and plans to curb public gatherings.

Hamas government spokesman Taher Nunu said Abbas was “divorced from reality".

“The divide can’t be resolved that way, only through dialogue,” he said.

Hamas continues to bring in millions in cash through smuggling tunnels under the Egypt-Gaza border, enough to pay salaries to 16,000 members of its security forces and government employees.

Gaza militants are also undeterred, and according to the Israeli army, have fired more than 1,200 rockets and mortars toward Israel since June.

In northern Gaza today the Israeli army opened fire on a car carrying militants, killing two and wounding five.

The Israeli army said ground forces struck a group of militants about to fire rockets toward Israeli towns.