Palestinian Authority (PA) head Mahmoud Abbas met with US President Donald Trump in the White House for the first time on May 3. Shortly after, Abbas announced during his meeting with Arab ambassadors in Washington on May 4 his decision to take unprecedented and painful steps against Hamas, which Washington considers a terrorist organization.

Abbas said during his meeting with the Arab ambassadors, “I will take unprecedented steps against Hamas since it halted the [Fatah-Hamas] reconciliation. The measures will be painful if the movement does not take back its actions,” in reference to Hamas’ refusal to hand over the Gaza Strip to the consensus government.

The White House wrote in a statement issued after the meeting between Abbas and Trump: “President Trump emphasized the importance of making a clear commitment to preventing inflammatory rhetoric and to stopping incitement, and to continue strengthening efforts to combat terrorism.”

The Palestinians have many questions about the measures that Abbas will take against Hamas, and they are wondering why his threats coincided with his visit to Washington.