Dozens of Palestinian supporters of the Islamist Hamas organization have rallied in Gaza city to protest against Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who earlier this week threatened to end reconciliation efforts with Hamas and hinted at further sanctions against the Palestinian enclave. President Abbas warned that unless Hamas would give up control of Gaza, it will risk taking full responsibility for the enclave and its two million residents without any help from his Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Abbas, speaking at a Palestinian leadership gathering on Monday, blamed Hamas for an assassination attempt of Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, which occurred last week, when the Prime Minister’s convoy was targeted by a road-side-bomb in the Hamas-run enclave. In response, the Islamist Hamas organization called Abbas’ allegations and threats irresponsible that would “burn bridges and reinforce (Palestinian) divisions.”
