Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' announcement that he won't seek reelection is merely a pressure tactic that merits no serious response, Hamas says.

Abbas' retirement threat is directed mostly at his "American and Zionist friends," Hamas Spokesman Dr. Sami Abu Zuhari said. "Abbas sought to let them know that he is dissatisfied with their conduct."

Israel and the US have alienated Abbas and are merely using him as a means for their advancing their plans, he said, noting that Abbas' decision is an internal Fatah matter.

"Instead of turning to the Americans, he should turn to the Palestinian people and admit that the process has failed and that an emphasis should be given to the resistance, while undertaking genuine steps to achieve Palestinian reconciliation," he said.

Meanwhile, a Hamas source told Ynet that the movement believes Abbas' announcement is merely a pressure tactic promoted through a media festival.

"However, there is no doubt that this attests to genuine political distress on Abbas' part," he said. "Clinton in her meeting with Netanyahu summarized the process Abbas has been proceeding with, where we see negotiations for the sake of talking, while Israel expands its settlements and the Americans publicly back this conduct."