Hamas lashes out at PA for meeting Israelis

Hamas lashed out at Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for receiving Israeli officials, journalists and members of the Knesset while Israel is bombarding Gaza. Hamas claimed that these actions are humiliating Palestinians and show that the PA are starting to accept the Zionist occupation - also known as 'normalisation with the Zionist enemy'. Hamas Spokesman Sami Abu Zahra said: "Abbas is responsible for the political situation in Palestine: he gave a chance to the occupation to use negotiations and peace talks as a cover-up to attack Gaza." The spokesman urged Abbas to admit his political failure. He added: "Abbas has two choices: either he can choose to side with the Palestinian people, or he can try to negotiate with the occupation while Israel is committing crimes and killing Palestinians."