The Palestinian Authority minister of Agriculture and Social Welfare on Sunday told an Israeli radio station that "ending Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip is a national, moral and religious duty."

The minister, Mahmoud Al-Habbash, added that removing Hamas from power in the Gaza Strip "should be accomplished as soon as possible."

The comments came during an interview with Israeli journalist Gal Burger. Ma’an telephoned Burger and asked for further details, and he said Al-Habbash did not preach toppling Hamas by military force. However, Burger said other Palestinian officials had already demanded that, but he refused to name those officials.

Al-Habbash's remarks follow the failure by Hamas and Fatah to reach an agreement in Cairo, and in light of talks about the Palestinian president planning to ask an independent figure to form a new government soon.

Al-Habbash called on the Gaza population to peacefully counter Hamas. “Hamas does not have mercy on anybody in Gaza, and they oppress all, including media and political activities,” he said.

Commenting on Al-Habbash's comments, Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum said it was an attempt to damage the national dialogue and strengthen his hold of his post. “Al-Habbash comments imply that he will lose if a national consensus government is formed because some Fatah leaders don’t want him in it.”

Barhoum added that all attempts to get rid of Hamas would fail, considering that Al-Habbash was trying to escape justice, as he must be tried "for crimes against religious intellectuals."