Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has called on Hamas to stop giving Israel “excuses” to keep up its devastating offensive in Gaza, AFP reports.

In a statement, the Ramallah-based Palestinian presidency called on Hamas to “cease making any irresponsible decisions to spare our people the consequences of [the Israeli] aggression”.

The statement pointed to the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. “Stop giving the occupation any excuses to continue its genocide,” it said.

It called on Hamas to “adhere to the official Palestinian position and the Arab initiatives”.

In its statement, the Palestinian presidency also denounced a newly established Israeli corridor in south Gaza as a violation of international law.