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23:30 GMT
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GAZA, March 19 (KUNA) -- The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) strongly denounced the claims by President Mahmoud Abbas earlier Monday that it was behind attempt on the life of Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah.
President Abbas who made "these totally unacceptable and irresponsible comments," has been attempting over a long time to bring the people of Gaza to knees and undermine their resistance, the group said in a press release this evening.
"In so doing, the president targets not only Hamas, but the prospects of success of the entire national (reconciliation) project as well," according to the statement.
The group, ruling in Gaza since 2006, accused the president of preparing the ground for the so-called "deal of the century," promulgated by US President Donald Trump, and the Jewish settlement expansions in the occupied Palestinian territories.
It termed the president's comments a deviation from reconciliation deals, calling on the Egyptian sponsors of the reconciliation, the Arab league and the Palestinian groups to step in and save the national project.
"The unity of the Palestinian people is at a crucial juncture due to the serious and destructive practices of President Abbas, which requires urgent intervention by regional and international parties, including the Arab League, to prevent a national catastrophe in Palestine," the statement stressed.
President Abbas has accused Hamas of perpetrating the bombing that targeted the convoy of Hamdallah and Palestinian General Intelligence chief Majed Faraj soon after their arrival in Gaza for a visit on Tuesday, March 13; seven people were injured in the blast.
The group termed these accusations as being prepared beforehand by Abbas given the fact that investigations are still underway.
"The security services in Gaza are still probing the incident without any cooperation from the national accord government," it said, affirming that such accusations are meant to influence the course of investigations and justice.
The president should rather instruct the competent bodies of his Ramallah-based government to work with the security services in Gaza for bringing the culprits to justice, it added. (pickup previous)
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