File Photo: Palestinians lift flags during a rally marking the 59th anniversary of the Fatah movement foundation in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. AFP
"Hamas must show compassion for Gaza, its children, women and men," Fatah spokesman Monther al-Hayek said in a message sent to AFP from Gaza.
He called on Hamas to "step aside from governing and fully recognize that the battle ahead will lead to the end of Palestinians' existence" if it remains in power in Gaza.
Hamas seized power in Gaza in 2007 from the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority, and subsequent attempts at reconciliation have failed.
The Gaza Strip has been devastated by an Israeli war that has killed nearly 49,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's health ministry.
Additionally, the war has left much of the territory in ruins, displacing over 90 percent of its population—many multiple times—while triggering a severe humanitarian crisis, worsened by an Israeli siege on essential aid.
Following disagreement over the next steps in a January 19 ceasefire in the Gaza war, Israel resumed airstrikes on Tuesday, followed by a ground invasion the day after.
Before renewing its assault, Israel attempted to extend the first phase of the agreement, effectively stalling talks on the second phase, which would involve an Israeli withdrawal and a permanent end to the war on Gaza.
Despite the agreement being signed by Tel Aviv, Israel has repeatedly blocked progress toward this next phase, refusing to commit to its implementation. Hamas has firmly rejected this, insisting that the original terms — a phased exchange of captives and prisoners, followed by negotiations for a lasting truce — must be upheld.
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