Hamas, Abbas Slam Each Other

Hamas criticized Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday for attempting “to destroy the reconciliation and play into the hands of the Americans and the Israelis,” said spokesman Fawzi Barhum. The sharp verbal attack comes following Abbas’ own accusation over the weekend that Hamas is running “a shadow government” in Gaza. Hamas and Abbas’ Fatah movement formed an alliance government on June 2, which involved the Hamas leadership formally stepping down in Gaza. Although they managed to remain united during the recent conflict in Gaza and Hamas claimed victory, the partnership appears to be fraying.