Abbas offers condolences to al-Zahar over slain son
Abbas reaches out to Hamas leader for first time since Gaza takeover to extend his condolences following death of al-Zahar's son in IDF strike. Fatah officials deny call was attempt to renew talks between warring factions
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas extended his condolences to Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar over the death of his son, Hussam, in an IDF attack on Hamas operatives in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
The phone call marked the first contact between Fatah leader Abbas and a senior Hamas figure in Gaza since the latter group's takeover of the Palestinian coastal territory in June 2007.
Officials within the Palestinian Authority stressed that the conversation between Abbas and al-Zahar was not an attempt to restart talks between the warring factions.
"Despite your attacks and claims that we are traitors – we offer you our condolences," said Abbas' aide Nabil Amru.
The Palestinian government, led by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, also expressed its sorrow over the death of al-Zahar's son and the statement of condolence was issued by PLO Political Department chief, Farook al-Qaddoumi.
Al-Zahar and other Hamas leaders stepped up their rhetoric following Tuesday's military offensive, slamming Abbas and Fatah as traitors and accusing them of collaborating with Israel.
"Proponents of peace have brought nothing but shame and contempt to the Palestinian people," he said. "We shall respond to the crimes committed by the Israelis in the only language which they understand."
