Editing Mahmoud Abbas (section)

==Political activism and career==
In the mid-1950s, Abbas became heavily involved in underground Palestinian politics, joining a number of exiled Palestinians in Qatar, where he was Director of Personnel in the emirate's Civil Service. While there in 1961, he was recruited to become a member of [[Fatah]], founded by Yasser Arafat and five other Palestinians in Kuwait in the late 1950s.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/behindmyth00andr |url-access=registration |last1=Gowers |first1=Andrew |first2=Tony |last2=Walker |title=Behind the Myth: Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Revolution |year=1991 |location=New York |publisher=[[Olive Branch Press]] |page=[https://archive.org/details/behindmyth00andr/page/65 65] |isbn=978-0-940793-86-6}}</ref> At the time, Arafat was establishing the groundwork of Fatah by enlisting wealthy Palestinians in Qatar, Kuwait, and other [[Arab States of the Persian Gulf|Gulf States]].{{cn|date=October 2023}}

According to [[Abu Daoud]], part of the funds raised by Abbas were used, without the latter's knowledge, to implement the 1972 [[Munich massacre]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Schanzer |first=Jonathan |author-link=Jonathan Schanzer |title=State of Failure: Yasser Arafat, Mahmoud Abbas, and the Unmaking of the Palestinian State |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JnHyx6cO3F0C&q=Munich&pg=PT95 |date=29 October 2013 |publisher=St. Martin's Publishing Group |isbn=978-1-137-36564-4 |page=95}}</ref> He was among the first members of [[Fatah]] to call for talks with moderate Israelis, doing so in 1977. In a 2012 interview, he recalled, "[...] because we took up arms, we were in a position to put them down with credibility."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2126097,00.html |title=The Stateless Statesman |first=Karl |last=Vick |date=15 October 2012 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|TIME]] |access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref>

In 1977, Abbas called for the repatriation of [[Arab Jews]] to their countries of origin, receiving the approval of [[Morocco]], [[Tunisia]], [[Libya]], [[Egypt]], [[Iraq]], [[Yemen]], and [[Sudan]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Abbas |first1=Mahmoud |title=Stages in the Life of the President |url=https://www.president.ps/eng/general.aspx?id=99 |website=Mahmoud Abbas – President of the State of Palestine |publisher=State of Palestine |access-date=24 December 2023}}</ref>

Abbas has performed diplomatic duties, presenting a moderating contrast to the PLO's "revolutionary" policies.<ref name="Sela" /> Abbas was the first PLO official to visit Saudi Arabia after the [[Gulf War]] in January 1993 to mend fences with the Gulf countries after the PLO's support of Iraq during the Persian Gulf War strained relations. In the [[Oslo I Accord]], Abbas was the signatory for the PLO on 13 September 1993. He published a memoir, ''Through Secret Channels: The Road to Oslo'' (1995).<ref>{{cite book |last=Abbas |first=Mahmoud |date=1995 |title=Through Secret Channels: The Road to Oslo |location=Reading, UK |publisher=Garnet Publishing |isbn=978-1-85964-047-0}}</ref>

In 1995, he and Israeli negotiator [[Yossi Beilin]] wrote the [[Beilin–Abu Mazen agreement]], which was meant to be the framework for a future Israeli–Palestinian peace deal.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

It emerged in September 2016 that Abbas may have once worked for the [[KGB]], as early as 1985 in [[Damascus]], according to a document uncovered in the [[Mitrokhin Archive]], where he is registered as agent "Krotov". Palestinian officials replied that at the time in question, the [[PLO]] collaborated with Moscow, and that Abbas was their liaison man in the Palestinian-Soviet friendship foundation.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/08/world/middleeast/mahmoud-abbas-israel-palestine-kgb.html |title=Soviet Document Suggests Mahmoud Abbas Was a K.G.B. Spy in the 1980s |first=Peter |last=Baker |date=7 September 2016 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://slon.ru/posts/73194 |title=Аббас, он же Кротов. Как глава Палестины оказался агентом КГБ |trans-title=Abbas, he is Krotov. How the leader of Palestine turned out to be an agent of the KGB |first=Mikhail |last=Tishchenko |date=8 September 2016 |website=Slon.ru |language=ru |access-date=13 September 2016}}</ref>

===Prime minister===
[[File:sharon bush abbas.jpg |thumb|left| Abbas with [[Ariel Sharon]] and [[George W. Bush]] in [[Aqaba]], [[Jordan]], 4 June 2003. ]]
By early 2003, as Israel and the United States refused to negotiate with Yasser Arafat, it was thought that Abbas would be a candidate for the kind of leadership role envisaged by both countries. As one of the few remaining founding members of Fatah, he had some degree of credibility within the Palestinian cause, and his candidacy was bolstered by the fact that other high-profile Palestinians were for various reasons not suitable (the most notable, [[Marwan Barghouti]], was a prisoner in Israeli jail after having been convicted on charges of being responsible for multiple murders by an Israeli court). Abbas's reputation as a pragmatist garnered him favor with the West and some members of the Palestinian legislature. Under international pressure, on 19 March 2003, Arafat appointed Abbas [[Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority]]. According to [[Gilbert Achcar]], the United States imposed Abbas on Arafat, the democratically elected leader, though the majority of Palestinians thought of Abbas as a [[Quisling]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8FNIchn0jJMC&pg=PA44 |title=Eastern Cauldron: Islam, Afghanistan and Palestine in the Mirror of Marxism |last=Achcar |first=Gilbert |author-link=Gilbert Achcar |date=2004 |location=London, UK |publisher=[[Pluto Press]] |isbn=978-0-7453-2203-2 |page=44}}</ref>

A struggle for power between Arafat and Abbas ensued.<ref name=alhram_647>{{cite news |url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/647/re2.htmnegotiat |title=Arafat vs Abbas |date=23 July 2003 |issue=647 |newspaper=[[Al-Ahram Weekly]]}} {{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> Abbas's term as prime minister was characterised by numerous conflicts between him and Arafat over the distribution of power. The United States and Israel accused Arafat of undermining Abbas and his government. Abbas hinted he would resign if not given more control over the administration. In early September 2003, he confronted the Palestinian parliament over this issue.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

Abbas came into conflict with [[Palestinian political violence|Palestinian militant groups]], notably the [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement]] and [[Hamas]] because his pragmatic policies were opposed to their hard-line approach. Initially, he pledged not to use force against the militants in the interest of avoiding a civil war, and attempted negotiation. This was partially successful, resulting in a pledge from the two groups to honor a unilateral Palestinian cease-fire. However, continuing violence and Israeli [[Targeted killings by Israel Defense Forces|"targeted killings"]] of known leaders forced Abbas to pledge a crackdown in order to uphold the Palestinian Authority's side of the [[Road map for peace]]. This led to a power struggle with Arafat over control of the [[Palestinian Security Services]]; Arafat refused to release control to Abbas, thus preventing him from using them on the militants. Abbas resigned as prime minister on 6 September 2003, citing lack of support from Israel and the United States as well as "internal incitement" against his government.<ref name=ap_060903>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/sep/06/israel1 |title=Profile: Mahmoud Abbas |first=Dan |last=Perry |date=6 September 2003 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref><ref name=CNN_060903>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/09/06/mideast/ |title=Palestinian prime minister Abbas resigns |date=6 September 2003 |website=[[CNN]] |access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref>

===2005 presidential election===
After Yasser Arafat's death, Abbas was seen, at least by Fatah, as his natural successor. On 25 November 2004, Abbas was endorsed by Fatah's Revolutionary Council as its preferred candidate for the [[2005 Palestinian presidential election|presidential election]], scheduled for 9 January 2005. On 14 December, Abbas called for an end to violence in the [[Second Intifada]] and a return to peaceful resistance. Abbas told the [[Asharq Al-Awsat]] newspaper that "the use of arms has been damaging and should end." However, he refused, or was not able, to disarm Palestinian militants and use force against groups designated as terrorist organisations.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

With Israeli forces arresting and restricting the movement of other candidates, Hamas's boycott of the election, and his campaign being given 94% of the [[Palestinian National Authority|Palestinian]] electoral campaign coverage on TV, Abbas's election was virtually ensured, and on 9 January Abbas was elected with 63% of the vote as President of the Palestinian National Authority.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 January 2005 |title=Final Report on Monitoring the Presidential Palestinian Elections |url=http://www.eicds.org/english/activities/pressreleases/05/monitoringpalestine.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050307083744/http://www.eicds.org/english/activities/pressreleases/05/monitoringpalestine.htm |archive-date=7 March 2005 |access-date=26 January 2020 |website=Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies}}</ref>

In his speech, he addressed a crowd of supporters chanting "a million [[shahid]]s", stating: "I present this victory to the soul of Yasser Arafat and present it to our people, to our martyrs and to [[Palestinian prisoners in Israel|11,000 prisoners]]". He also called for Palestinian groups to end the use of arms against Israelis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4160171.stm |title=Abbas achieves landslide poll win |date=10 January 2005 |website=[[BBC News]] |access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref>

===Presidency and PLO leadership===
[[File:Dmitry Medvedev in Palestine 18 January 2011-11.jpeg |left|thumb| Abbas with Russian president [[Dmitry Medvedev]],  January 2011]]
[[File:P20220715AS-0903 (52325477645).jpg |left|thumb| Abbas with U.S. president [[Joe Biden]] at the Palestinian Presidential Palace in Bethlehem, July 2022]]
Despite Abbas's call for a peaceful solution, attacks by militant groups continued after his election, in a direct challenge to his authority. The Palestinian [[Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine]] launched a raid in Gaza on 12 January 2005, that killed one and wounded three Israeli military personnel.<ref name="MFA">{{cite web |url=http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/foreignpolicy/terrorism/palestinian/pages/suicide%20and%20other%20bombing%20attacks%20in%20israel%20since.aspx |title=Suicide and Other Bombing Attacks in Israel Since the Declaration of Principles (Sept 1993) |date=April 2016 |website=[[Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] |access-date=26 January 2020 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017124625/http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/foreignpolicy/terrorism/palestinian/pages/suicide%20and%20other%20bombing%20attacks%20in%20israel%20since.aspx |archive-date=17 October 2015}}</ref> On 13 January, Palestinians from the [[Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades]], [[Hamas]], and the [[Popular Resistance Committees]] launched a suicide attack on the [[Karni crossing]], killing six Israelis.<ref name=MFA/> As a result, Israel shut down the damaged terminal and broke off relations with Abbas and the Palestinian Authority, stating that Abbas must now show a gesture of peace by attempting to stop such attacks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/01/14/gaza.bombing/ |title=Sharon suspends contacts with Palestinian Authority |date=14 January 2005 |website=CNN |access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref> Abbas was formally sworn in as the [[President of the Palestinian National Authority]] in a ceremony held on 15 January, in the [[West Bank]] town of [[Ramallah]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4179327.stm |title=PLO demands end to armed attacks |date=16 January 2005 |website=BBC News |access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref>

In February 2005, Abbas met with Israeli prime minister [[Ariel Sharon]] at the [[Sharm el-Sheikh Summit of 2005|Sharm el-Sheikh Summit]] to end the [[Second Intifada]], and they both reaffirmed their commitment to the [[Roadmap for peace]] process. Sharon also agreed to release 900 [[Palestinian prisoners in Israel|Palestinian prisoners]] of the 7,500 being held at the time,<ref name=Reinhardtp77>{{cite book |title=The Road Map to Nowhere: Israel/Palestine Since 2003 |first=Tanya |last=Reinhart |author-link=Tanya Reinhart |location=London, UK |publisher=[[Verso Books|Verso]] |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-84467-076-5 |page=77}}</ref> and to withdraw from West Bank towns.

On 9 August 2005, Abbas announced that [[2006 Palestinian legislative election|legislative elections]], originally scheduled for 17 July 2005, would take place in January 2006. On 20 August, he set the elections for 25 January.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/palestinian-elections-set-for-jan/ |title=Palestinian Elections Set For January |date=20 August 2005 |website=CBS News |agency=Associated Press |access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref> On 15 January 2006, Abbas declared that, despite unrest in Gaza, he would not change the election date, unless Israel were to prevent Palestinians in [[East Jerusalem]] from voting.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2006/01/2008491414218871.html |title=Abbas: Palestinian polls on schedule |date=15 January 2006 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref> The elections took place on 25 January 2006, and resulted in a decisive Hamas victory.

In January 2006, in the context of Fatah's election loss and Hamas' presumed future one party government, Abbas said that he would not run for office again at the end of his term.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4616144.stm |title=Abbas 'will not be leader again' |date=16 January 2006 |website=BBC News |access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref> However, following international sanctions against a Hamas one party government, political and military conflicts between Hamas and Fatah, and the division of the country, which made new elections impossible, Abbas stayed president after the expiration of his four-year term on 15 January 2009. He extended his term for another year, using another interpretation of the Basic Law and the Election Law, so he could align the [[Next Palestinian general election|next presidential and parliamentary elections]]. Pointing to the Palestinian constitution, Hamas disputed the validity of this move, and considered Abbas's term to have ended, in which case [[Aziz Duwaik]], [[Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council]], would have become acting president.<ref name="Abbas-no-longer-president"/><ref name="Hamas: Abbas no longer heads PA"/><ref name="Abu Toameh"/>

In December 2009, the leadership of the [[Palestinian Central Council]] announced an indefinite extension of Abbas's term as president. Since then, Abbas has remained president of the Fatah-controlled areas of the Palestinian territories.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/17/world/middleeast/17mideast.html |title=Palestinian Leadership Council Extends President Abbas's Term |first=Isabel |last=Kershner |date=17 December 2009 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref> In April 2014, Hamas withdrew its objection, in order to form a [[Palestinian Unity Government of June 2014|Unity Government]] with Fatah.<ref name="unity"/>
[[File:Foreign Leader Visits (34779880355).jpg |thumb| Abbas with U.S. president [[Donald Trump]] in Washington, D.C., 3 May 2017 |left]]
Abbas has supported the [[blockade of the Gaza Strip]] as a means of weakening Hamas. In 2010, Abbas declared that he opposed lifting the Israeli naval blockade of the Gaza Strip because this would bolster Hamas. Egypt also supported this position.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/abbas-to-obama-i-m-against-lifting-the-gaza-naval-blockade-1.295771 |title=Abbas to Obama: I'm against lifting the Gaza naval blockade |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227101816/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/abbas-to-obama-i-m-against-lifting-the-gaza-naval-blockade-1.295771 |archive-date=27 February 2014 |url-status=live |access-date=3 September 2024 |first=Barak |last=Ravid |work=Haaretz |date=13 June 2010}}</ref> In 2014 and subsequent years, Abbas supported Egypt's crackdown on [[Gaza Strip smuggling tunnels|smuggling tunnels]] and welcomed the flooding of the tunnels by Egypt in coordination with the PA.<ref name=aljazeera1214>{{cite web |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/12/abbas-supports-egypt-action-gaza-tunnels-2014121265210713278.html |title=Abbas 'supports' Egypt action on Gaza tunnels |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307111953/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/12/abbas-supports-egypt-action-gaza-tunnels-2014121265210713278.html |archive-date=7 March 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=3 September 2024 |work=Al Jazeera |date=12 December 2014}}</ref><ref name=memo_tunnels_flooded>{{cite web |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/africa/21303-sisi-says-gaza-tunnels-flooded-in-coordination-with-pa |title=Sisi says Gaza tunnels flooded in coordination with PA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105614/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/africa/21303-sisi-says-gaza-tunnels-flooded-in-coordination-with-pa |archive-date=4 March 2016 |work=Middle East Monitor|date=28 September 2015}}</ref><ref name=haaretz_abbas>{{cite web |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/.premium-1.629397 |title=Abbas: Egypt Right to Create Buffer Zone on Gaza Border |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820105818/https://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/.premium-1.629397 |archive-date=20 August 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=3 September 2024 |first=Jack |last=Khoury |work=Haaretz |date=1 December 2014 |quote=Abbas believed the destruction of the tunnels was the best solution. The Palestinian president said he had recommended previously the sealing or destruction of the tunnels by flooding them and then punishing the owners of the homes that contained entrances to the tunnels, including demolishing their homes.}}</ref> In 2016, Abbas objected to the entrance of Qatari fuel to the Gaza electricity plant via Israel, because his PA would be unable to collect taxes on the fuel.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/middle-east/23968-yaalon-abbas-objected-to-qatari-fuel-entering-gaza-through-ashdod |title=Ya'alon: Abbas objected to Qatari fuel entering Gaza through Ashdod |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307124216/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/middle-east/23968-yaalon-abbas-objected-to-qatari-fuel-entering-gaza-through-ashdod |archive-date=7 March 2016 |work=Middle East Monitor |date=17 February 2016}}</ref>

In December 2014, Abbas signed an application for Palestine to join the [[International Criminal Court]],<ref name="FP_ICC">{{cite web |last1=Hatuqa |first1=Dalia |title=How Long Can Mahmoud Abbas Hold On? |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/01/16/can-mahmoud-abbas-hold-on-palestinian-successor-icc/ |website=Foreign Policy |access-date=18 October 2023 |date=16 January 2015}}</ref> just one day after the UN Security Council voted against a resolution demanding the end of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and statehood for Palestine by 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Beaumont |first1=Peter |title=US and Israeli intervention led UN to reject Palestinian resolution |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/31/us-israel-un-reject-palestinian-resolution-nigeria-security-council |website=The Guardian |date=31 December 2014 |access-date=18 October 2023}}</ref> The threat of joining the ICC and suing Israel for war crimes had been considered by Palestinian officials for years prior, but the move was seen as a diplomatic "last resort." The decision came as Abbas's administration dealt with allegations of corruption and mismanagement, potential political challenges from rival parties and other Fatah members, and low approval ratings.<ref name="FP_ICC"></ref>

[[File:Russian-Palestinian talks - 2024 - 04.jpg|thumb|Abbas with Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]] in [[Novo-Ogaryovo]], Russia, 13 August 2024]]
In August 2015, Abbas announced his resignation as chairman of the executive committee of the PLO,<ref name="english.alarabiya.net">{{cite web |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/08/22/Palestinian-President-Mahmoud-Abbas-resigns.html |title=PLO chief Mahmoud Abbas quits leadership post |date=22 August 2015 |website=[[Al Arabiya]] |access-date=3 September 2024}}</ref> and subsequently called for an emergency meeting of the PNC to hold an election. The announcement drew criticisms and speculation as to his motives.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rudoren |first1=Jodi |title=In West Bank, Speculation Abounds Over Mahmoud Abbas's Plans |work=The New York Times |date=September 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/02/world/middleeast/in-west-bank-speculation-abounds-over-mahmoud-abbass-plans.html |access-date=18 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Frykberg |first1=Mel |title=Critics slam Mahmoud Abbas' PLO resignation as 'farce' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/8/28/critics-slam-mahmoud-abbas-plo-resignation-as-farce |website=Al Jazeera |date=28 Aug 2015 |access-date=3 September 2024}}</ref> His proposed special session of the PNC was postponed indefinitely,<ref name=maan_postponed>{{cite web |url=https://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=767521 |title=PNC chair confirms controversial session postponed |date=9 September 2015 |website=[[Ma'an News Agency]] |access-date=26 January 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207174841/https://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=767521 |archive-date=7 December 2015}}</ref> and he remains acting chairman of the PLC as of October 2023.

In 2021, [[2021 Palestinian local elections |local elections in Palestine]] were held amidst a rift between Abbas and [[Hamas]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Ayyub|first1=Rami|last2=Sawafta|first2=Ali|date=11 December 2021|title=Palestinians vote in local elections amid rising anger with Abbas|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/palestinians-vote-local-elections-amid-rising-anger-with-abbas-2021-12-11/|access-date=3 September 2024}}</ref> This was after he had indefinitely postponed the [[Next Palestinian presidential election|presidential election]] and [[Next Palestinian legislative election|parliamentary elections]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 December 2021|title=Some 400,000 Palestinians vote in rare municipal elections|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/palestinians-mahmoud-abbas-west-bank-hamas-palestinian-authority-b1974278.html|access-date=3 September 2024|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref>

During the [[Gaza war]], Abbas rejected "practices of killing civilians or abusing them on both sides because they contravene morals, religion and international law."<ref>{{cite news |title=Palestinian President Abbas condemns violence against civilians |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/palestinian-president-says-he-rejects-killing-civilians-both-sides-conflict-2023-10-12/ |work=Reuters |date=12 October 2023 |access-date=3 September 2024 |first=Ali |last=Sawafta}}</ref> He called for the "release of civilians, prisoners and detainees" and expressed concern about the consequences of Israel's [[October 2023 Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip|total blockade of the Gaza Strip]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Palestinian President Abbas condemns violence against civilians |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/palestinian-president-abbas-condemns-violence-against-civilians |work=The Straits Times |date=12 October 2023 |access-date=3 September 2024}}</ref> Abbas declared three days of mourning following the [[Al-Ahli Arab Hospital explosion]] and canceled a planned meeting with U.S. president Joe Biden.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Ibrahim|first1=Arwa|last2=Siddiqui|first2=Usaid|last3=Mohamed |first3=Edna |last4=Hatuqa |first4=Dalia |last5=Stepansky |first5=Joseph |title=Hundreds of casualties as Israel hits Gaza hospital sheltering thousands|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/10/16/israel-hamas-war-live-iran-warns-resistance-front-may-attack |date=17 October 2023 |website=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]] |language=en |access-date=3 September 2024}}</ref> In February 2024, he called the [[Al-Rashid humanitarian aid incident]] an "ugly massacre" that was perpetrated by the "Israeli occupation army."<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 February 2024 |title=Dozens killed waiting for aid in Gaza as overall death toll passes 30,000, Hamas-run health ministry says |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/29/dozens-killed-waiting-for-aid-in-gaza-as-overall-death-toll-passes-30000-hamas-run-health-ministry-says.html |work=[[CNBC]] |agency=Reuters |language=en |archive-date=29 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229190610/https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/29/dozens-killed-waiting-for-aid-in-gaza-as-overall-death-toll-passes-30000-hamas-run-health-ministry-says.html |url-status=live |access-date=3 September 2024}}</ref> In April 2025, in his strongest remarks since the war began, Abbas condemned Hamas as "sons of dogs," blaming them for giving Israel justification to continue its assault on Gaza and demanding they release the Israeli hostages, disarm, and cede control of the territory.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-23 |title=Abbas calls Hamas 'sons of dogs' and demands release of hostages |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g20pj6epvo |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=[[BBC]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Nomination of successor and possible retirement===
At the age of 89, Abbas is one of the oldest world leaders ever (as of {{date}}) and thus on 28 November 2024, after growing calls for him to quit, Abbas nominated [[Rawhi Fattouh]], to be his temporary successor until elections are held when the time comes for Abbas to step down.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/30/explainer-why-has-palestinian-authoritys-mahmoud-abbas-nominated-his-successor|author=Why has Palestinian Authority’s Mahmoud Abbas nominated a successor now?|title=Why has Palestinian Authority's Mahmoud Abbas nominated a successor now? |work=Al Jazeera|date=30 November 2024}}</ref> In March 2025, Abbas has announced that the long-awaited legislative election will be held and that he has announced the creation of a [[Vice President of the State of Palestine|vice presidential post]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250304-palestinian-president-abbas-says-ready-to-hold-elections-within-a-year|title=Palestinian Authority president Abbas says ready to hold election|work=France 24|date=4 March 2025}}</ref>

In April 2025, Abbas officially created the post of vice president and appointed [[Hussein al-Sheikh]], the secretary general of the [[Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization]], to the role, thus making him Abbas' likely successor when he steps down.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/26/palestinian-president-names-hussein-al-sheikh-vice-president-of-plo-and-his-likely-successor|title=Palestinian president names Hussein al-Sheikh vice-president of PLO and his likely successor|work=The Guardian News|date=26 April 2025}}</ref>

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