Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he will not hold dialogue with Hamas, denouncing the Islamic militant group as "murderers" and "terrorists" who plotted to kill him.
Mr. Abbas condemned Hamas' seizure of the Gaza Strip last week as a "coup" and described the group as "traitors." He was speaking Wednesday in Ramallah to an executive body of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
A spokesman for Hamas rejected Mr. Abbas' comments.
It was the first speech by Mr. Abbas since Hamas took over Gaza in fighting against his Fatah movement. Fatah remains the main power in Palestinian-controlled areas of the West Bank.
In New York, the new U.N. coordinator for Middle East peace said Hamas' attacks on the legitimate institutions of Mr. Abbas and the Palestinian Authority were totally unacceptable. Michael Williams, speaking to the U.N. Security Council, also urged Israel and the international community to immediately deliver political and financial support to President Abbas and the Palestinian government.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL MATERIAL
Meanwhile, the Israeli military killed four Palestinians in a clash in Gaza Wednesday and carried out its first airstrike in the territory since Hamas took control.
The Israeli military said its soldiers also killed two Palestinian militants during a raid in the West Bank.
On the humanitarian front, Israeli officials say they will allow Gaza Palestinians trapped at the Erez border crossing who need urgent medical treatment to enter Israel. Israel also says it will allow foreign nationals to leave Gaza through the crossing.
The U.N. World Food Program sent nine more truckloads of aid into Gaza Wednesday.
Michael Williams told the Security Council a potential humanitarian disaster is looming in the Gaza Strip despite international aid returning to the territory. He said help must go beyond food and medical supplies.
Mr. Abbas condemned Hamas' seizure of the Gaza Strip last week as a "coup" and described the group as "traitors." He was speaking Wednesday in Ramallah to an executive body of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
A spokesman for Hamas rejected Mr. Abbas' comments.
It was the first speech by Mr. Abbas since Hamas took over Gaza in fighting against his Fatah movement. Fatah remains the main power in Palestinian-controlled areas of the West Bank.
In New York, the new U.N. coordinator for Middle East peace said Hamas' attacks on the legitimate institutions of Mr. Abbas and the Palestinian Authority were totally unacceptable. Michael Williams, speaking to the U.N. Security Council, also urged Israel and the international community to immediately deliver political and financial support to President Abbas and the Palestinian government.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL MATERIAL
Meanwhile, the Israeli military killed four Palestinians in a clash in Gaza Wednesday and carried out its first airstrike in the territory since Hamas took control.
The Israeli military said its soldiers also killed two Palestinian militants during a raid in the West Bank.
On the humanitarian front, Israeli officials say they will allow Gaza Palestinians trapped at the Erez border crossing who need urgent medical treatment to enter Israel. Israel also says it will allow foreign nationals to leave Gaza through the crossing.
The U.N. World Food Program sent nine more truckloads of aid into Gaza Wednesday.
Michael Williams told the Security Council a potential humanitarian disaster is looming in the Gaza Strip despite international aid returning to the territory. He said help must go beyond food and medical supplies.