The Palestinian Authority’s official news agency published comments from President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday criticizing Hamas’s actions, but later removed the reference to the terrorist group without explanation.

The comments published by WAFA on its website came during a phone call between Abbas and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The two discussed Israel’s bombing of Gaza following deadly Hamas attacks on Israeli cities.

The original WAFA report on Abbas’s call included this line: “The President also stressed that the policies and actions of Hamas do not represent the Palestinian people, and that the policies, programs and decisions of the (Palestine Liberation Organization) do not represent those of the Palestinian people. represent the sole legitimate representative.”

Several hours later, the phrase was adjusted to read: “The President also stressed that the policies, programs and decisions of the PLO represent the Palestinian people as their sole legitimate representative, and not those of any other organization. policies.”

It was not immediately clear why the reference to Hamas was removed. There was no immediate comment from Abbas’s office or WAFA. Hamas had no immediate comment.

Abbas’s Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. He has been a longtime opponent of Hamas, which took over Gaza in 2007 and ousted Fatah party forces loyal to Abbas. Years-long reconciliation talks between the rivals have failed to reach any conclusion.

Abbas also heads the PLO, an umbrella group that has represented the Palestinians in past US-sponsored peace talks with Israel.

WAFA reported that during his talks with Maduro, Abbas “reaffirmed his rejection of the killing of civilians by both sides and called for the release of civilians, prisoners and detainees.”