Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has criticised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for signing a deal with Hamas aimed at establishing an interim national reconciliation government in Gaza after bombardment ends, Al Jazeera reports.

“Instead of rejecting terrorism, Mahmoud Abbas embraces the murderers and rapists of Hamas, revealing his true face,” Katz said on X.

The minister said a Palestinian rule over the Strip will never materialise as Hamas will be crushed and Abbas “will be watching Gaza from afar”.

“Israel’s security will remain solely in Israel’s hands,” he added.