The Times of Israel reports: “Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas blamed Hamas on Saturday for the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, in a back-and-forth which saw the terror group condemn Abbas for siding with Israel.

The exchange signaled rising tensions between Abbas’s Fatah faction and the Islamist terrorist group, who in the past have unsuccessfully attempted to reconcile.

The spat began after an Israeli attack in Gaza on Saturday aimed at Hamas military chief Mohammad Deif and his aide, which left at least 90 Palestinians dead and 300 injured, according to unverifiable reports by the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry; Israeli military sources say the strike targeted a Hamas compound, where dozens of Hamas gunmen were gathered…

In response to the attack, PA official Munir Al-Jaghoub said in an interview with the Saudi al-Arabiya outlet, ‘If Hamas wanted to fight face-to-face with Israel, it would’ve done so in areas where the army is located, and not in places where there are people. Hamas is actually hiding between the residents to protect and save itself.’

Hamas spokesperson Jihad Taha called on Fatah to condemn Al-Jaghoub’s statement, according to Palestinian media.

‘You must cease promoting the false narratives of Israel and align with our people in their decisive and steadfast battle against barbaric attacks,’ he said.

Instead, Abbas put out a statement saying he ‘sees that by escaping national unity and providing free pretexts to the occupation state, the Hamas movement is a partner in bearing legal, moral, and political responsibility for the continuation of the Israeli war of genocide in the Gaza Strip.’…”