The meeting took place after prayers at Abbas's residence in the West Bank also attended by Nasser al-Shaer, deputy prime minister in the Hamas-led unity government that broke apart after the June conflict, and two other influential members of the movement, Palestinian media reported.
"This meeting is to demonstrate to our people that the doors to national reconciliation remain open," al-Shaer told the Palestinian Ma'an news agency. He added Hamas did not question the legitimacy of Abbas' presidency.
But Abbas reiterated to Reuters that he would not hold formal reconciliation talks with Hamas unless it gives up control of Gaza.
"I met with Hamas officials and told them there would be no dialogue with Hamas until they reverse their coup first," Abbas said.
The meeting occurred as the Palestinians and Israelis draft a settlement plan ahead of a peace conference on the Middle East in the United States later this year.
Israel has warned it would give up the talks if Abbas renewed contacts with Hamas, which has called for Israel's destruction.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri warned against far-reaching conclusions after the rare meeting between the parties. "The fact that some leaders prayed along with Abbas says little about the state of relations between Hamas and [presidential party] Fatah," he said.
