Hamas Denies Accusations of Hindering Palestinian Government

Hamas-leader-...jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" class="size-full wp-image-104310" /> Khalil al-Hayya. Senior Hamas leader ..

Gaza City, Palestine, MINA – Palestinian group Hamas has denied accusations by rival Fatah movement of hindering the Ramallah-based government from operating in the Gaza Strip, Anadolu Agency reported.

In a press conference in Gaza City on Monday, Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya called on the unity government to fulfill its obligations toward Gaza.

“Alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza is the duty of the [unity] government, which should not evade from its responsibilities,” he said.

On Sunday, two Fatah leaders accused Hamas of hindering the Palestinian government from operating in the Gaza Strip.

Also Read: Violating Ceasefire Deal, Israeli Forces Open Fire on Coast of Gaza City

Al-Hayya said Palestinian factions and Fatah group have failed to pressure the government to lift its punitive measures against the seaside strip.

In April, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas took a number of punitive measures as a way of piling pressures on Hamas to relinquish its control of Gaza.

The measures included cutting the salaries of Gaza-based employees by 30 percent, reducing the provision of electricity to the territory, and forced retirement of around 6000 employees.

Last month, Hamas and Fatah — Palestine’s two leading political movements — signed a landmark reconciliation agreement in Cairo aimed at healing their decade-long rift after Hamas captured Gaza from Fatah in 2007 after days of street fighting.

Also Read: Israel Launches Iron Wall Operation in Jenin, At Least 7 Palestinians Killed

Despite the signs of warming relations between the two rival factions, the Ramallah-based government has yet to reverse any of the sanctions it had imposed. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

Also Read: Hamas Ready to Start Dialogue with the United States