Palestinian Authority President Abbas: Hamas' actions do not represent Palestinians

According to official news agency WAFA, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the actions and policies of Islamist group Hamas do not represent Palestinian people.

"The president affirmed his rejection of the killing of civilians on both sides and called for the release of civilians, prisoners and detainees on both sides," said the news agency.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to "demolish Hamas" as his military got ready ground operations in Gaza to root out the militant group, whose violent march across Israeli border communities horrified the country, According to Reuters.