-
Fatah Movement Calls on Hamas to Step Down from Power
The Fatah Movement, led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, has called on Hamas to step down from governance in the Gaza Strip. The spokesman for Fatah in Gaza, Munther Hayek, stated: "Hamas must leave the political scene and fully realize that the next battle is to end the Palestinian presence."
Hayek added, "Hamas must show compassion for Gaza and its children, women, and men. We warn that the coming days will be heavy, harsh, and difficult for the people of the Strip."
These statements come after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened on Friday to annex parts of the Gaza Strip unless Hamas releases the remaining prisoners, while expanding the scope of Israeli military operations in the southern part of the territory.
The threats followed Israel resuming its intensive bombardment of Gaza on Tuesday, citing a stalemate in indirect negotiations regarding the next steps in the ceasefire after its first phase ended earlier this month.
Hamas seeks to move to the second phase of the agreement, which includes establishing a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israel from Gaza, reopening the crossings for humanitarian aid, and the release of the remaining prisoners.
Conversely, Israel wants to extend the first phase until mid-April and demands the "disarmament" of Gaza and the termination of Hamas's authority, which has governed the Strip since 2007, in order to proceed to the second phase.
