Abbas says Hamas agrees to adopt peaceful struggle against Israel

RAMALLAH, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday that Islamic Hamas movement, which rules the Gaza Strip, has finally decided to adopt popular peaceful struggle against Israel.

Abbas said in a speech aired on Palestine Satellite Television, during an International Islamic conference.

Hamas and other Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip began in March six-week rallies and called them the Great Marches of return. The marches are scheduled to continue until May 15.

Abbas slammed Israel for putting roadblocks and barriers around the city of Jerusalem and prevent Palestinian worshippers from reaching the city and preventing participants from reaching Ramallah to join the conference.

Abbas also slammed the U.S. President Donald Trump for his decision of considering Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moving the U.S. embassy to the city on May 16.

He reiterated on his call for holding an international peace conference and international sponsorship for peace based on the implementation of the international resolutions related to solving the Palestinian cause and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Enditem