Palestine's Abbas condemns Israeli aggression on Gaza

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday called on Hamas to help achieving inter-Palestinian reconciliation.

“The road is clear for reconciliation and the elimination of the causes of Palestinian division through the implementation of the Cairo Agreement in a comprehensive manner,” Abbas said at a meeting of the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah.

“If Hamas agrees to implement the reconciliation agreement, we are ready," Abbas added.

The Palestinian president also condemned recent Israeli aggression against Gaza.

Abbas also thanked all countries and parties that had contributed to a recent Hamas-Israel ceasefire.

"Our goal is to spare our people more massacres and war crimes," he said.

Since Sunday, at least 14 Palestinians have been martyred -- by Israeli airstrikes and artillery -- across the blockaded territory.

On Sunday night, an Israeli officer was killed -- and another injured -- in a botched ground operation in Gaza.

Tensions appeared to ease slightly late Tuesday after Israel and Gaza-based resistance factions agreed to an Egypt-brokered ceasefire.