PA plans to take extra punitive measures against Gaza

The Palestinian Authority (PA) announced yesterday that it will take more punitive measures against the Gaza Strip.

Speaking to Al-Arabiya TV, Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs Hussain Sheikh said the PA would take “political, financial and administrative measures against Gaza and Hamas.”

“We will never tolerate Hamas from now on. We will take every measure to besiege it.”

Prior to these remarks, member of Fatah Executive Committee Dalal Salama said: “We will take more precise measures against Hamas after it abused Fatah members and damaged the Palestinian cause.”

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Yesterday, the PA ordered its employees to pull out from the Gaza-Egypt border crossing, effectively closing the main exit point from the impoverished Gaza Strip.

Hamas said the move “deepens the internal Palestinian division.”

Hamas spokesman Hazim Qasim said: “This measure cut short the Egyptian efforts to end the Palestinian division and bring Fatah and Hamas together.”

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