Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas says he is 'not responsible' for violence in Gaza Strip until Hamas cedes control

Ramallah: Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas says that unless he gets full control over the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, including the groups weapons, he will “not be responsible for what goes on” there. [caption id=“attachment_2725124” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas. Getty images[/caption] Abbas’ comments on Sunday dealt another blow to months of US-backed Egyptian efforts to negotiate a deal that would sideline the Islamic militant Hamas and enable Abbas self-rule government to return to Gaza. Hamas seized Gaza from forces loyal to Abbas in 2007. Recent talks between Abbas and his rivals failed, mainly because Hamas refuses to disarm. This comes as tensions are rising on the Gaza-Israel border, with Hamas leading mass protests to try to break an Israeli-Egyptian border blockade. Abbas told leaders of his Fatah movement he has informed Egypt of his demands and is waiting to hear back.