Abbas says Palestinians have right to defend themselves as Hamas kills at least 40 in Israel

( Fox )

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the deadly terrorist attacks in Israel on Saturday by emphasizing that Palestinians have a right to defend themselves from Israel.

Abbas reacted to the deadly rocket attacks and invasion by Hamas terrorists by chairing an emergency leadership meeting of the Palestinian Authority, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

"The President gave instructions to provide protection for the Palestinian people, stressing the right of the Palestinian people to defend themselves against the terrorism of settlers and the occupation forces," the report said.

"He also gave directions to provide all that is necessary to bolster the resilience and steadfastness of the Palestinian people in facing the crimes committed by the Israeli occupation and settler gangs."

The report did not mention the Hamas attacks, which have so far claimed 40 lives and injured hundreds more. Dozens of Israelis are feared to have been captured by Hamas and taken back to Gazas as well, the Times of Israel reported.