Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday (Dec 6) said that it was ready to hand over its arms in the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority only if Israel’s army withdraws from the territory. It added that its weapons are linked with “existence of the occupation and the aggression” by Israel and would give them up if “occupation ends.” However, the group rejected the deployment of any international force in the Strip that would push for Hamas to disarm.&nbsp;“Our weapons are linked to the existence of the occupation and the aggression,” Hamas chief negotiator and its Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya said in a statement. He added, “If the occupation ends, these weapons will be placed under the authority of the state.” Hayya’s bureau was referring to a sovereign and independent Palestinian state, AFP reported.&nbsp;“We accept the deployment of UN forces as a separation force, tasked with monitoring the borders and ensuring compliance with the ceasefire in Gaza,” Hayya added, suggesting the group rejects the deployment of an international force in Gaza that aims to disarm Hamas.&nbsp;Under the 20-point plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, Hamas is supposed to disarm, and members who decommission their weapons are allowed to leave Gaza. The Palestinian militant group has repeatedly rejected the proposition. The plan also mentions forming a transitional governing body, the Board of Peace, and deployment of an international stabilisation force in Gaza.&nbsp;<h2>Mediators push for next steps</h2>&nbsp;Meanwhile, Qatar and Egypt called for the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the deployment of an international stabilisation force as necessary steps to fully implement the fragile ceasefire agreement.&nbsp;“Now we are at the critical moment... A ceasefire cannot be completed unless there is a full withdrawal of the Israeli forces (and) there is stability back in Gaza,” Qatari premier Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said at the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference.&nbsp;Speaking of deploying the international force, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said, “We need to deploy this force as soon as possible on the ground because one party, which is Israel, is every day violating the ceasefire.”

The Palestinian militant group rejected the deployment of any international force in the Strip that would push for Hamas to disarm.

Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday (Dec 6) said that it was ready to hand over its arms in the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority only if Israel’s army withdraws from the territory. It added that its weapons are linked with “existence of the occupation and the aggression” by Israel and would give them up if “occupation ends.” However, the group rejected the deployment of any international force in the Strip that would push for Hamas to disarm. “Our weapons are linked to the existence of the occupation and the aggression,” Hamas chief negotiator and its Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya said in a statement. He added, “If the occupation ends, these weapons will be placed under the authority of the state.” Hayya’s bureau was referring to a sovereign and independent Palestinian state, AFP reported. “We accept the deployment of UN forces as a separation force, tasked with monitoring the borders and ensuring compliance with the ceasefire in Gaza,” Hayya added, suggesting the group rejects the deployment of an international force in Gaza that aims to disarm Hamas. Under the 20-point plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, Hamas is supposed to disarm, and members who decommission their weapons are allowed to leave Gaza. The Palestinian militant group has repeatedly rejected the proposition. The plan also mentions forming a transitional governing body, the Board of Peace, and deployment of an international stabilisation force in Gaza. Mediators push for next steps Meanwhile, Qatar and Egypt called for the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the deployment of an international stabilisation force as necessary steps to fully implement the fragile ceasefire agreement. “Now we are at the critical moment... A ceasefire cannot be completed unless there is a full withdrawal of the Israeli forces (and) there is stability back in Gaza,” Qatari premier Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said at the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference. Speaking of deploying the international force, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said, “We need to deploy this force as soon as possible on the ground because one party, which is Israel, is every day violating the ceasefire.”

The Palestinian militant group rejected the deployment of any international force in the Strip that would push for Hamas to disarm.

Hamas ready to give up arms to Palestinian authority? Group puts THIS condition

A disturbing video has emerged showing Israeli security forces shooting and killing two Palestinian men who appeared to be surrendering during a military operation in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin. The footage, which has sparked outrage, shows the two men exiting a building with their hands raised in apparent surrender, before kneeling on the ground. One of the men lifts his t-shirt to show he is unarmed. After a brief pause, the men move back toward the building, at which point Israeli border police open fire, killing them both.<h2>Disturbing visuals. Viewers' discretion is&nbsp;advised</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">This is truly shocking. The terrorist Israeli soldiers executed two Palestinian men who had been besieged inside a house in Jenin. The two men emerged with their hands raised in surrender, but the soldiers ordered them to step back before shooting them. <a href="https://t.co/9P0S3e86EQ">pic.twitter.com/9P0S3e86EQ</a>&mdash; Mosab Abu Toha (@MosabAbuToha) <a href="https://twitter.com/MosabAbuToha/status/1994074498316800168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has condemned the killings, accusing Israeli troops of committing a "war crime" and describing the incident as "brutal" field executions. In contrast, the Israeli military and police have defended the actions of their forces, saying that the men were "wanted individuals" linked to terrorist organisations, and that they had been involved in violent activities, including the use of explosives and gunfire against Israeli soldiers and settlers. According to a joint statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the police, the suspects had been under surveillance for hours before their eventual surrender.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-reverse-migration-trump-threatens-to-suspend-immigration-from-third-world-what-happened-with-the-muslim-ban-of-2017-1764314680302">'REVERSE MIGRATION only can...': Trump threatens to suspend immigration from ‘Third World’. What happened with the ‘Muslim Ban’ of 2017?</a>&nbsp;They also said that the fire was directed at the suspects after they exited the building. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for his hardline stance, expressed full support for the soldiers involved, asserting that "terrorists must die." The incident comes as part of a broader Israeli military campaign in the northern West Bank, aimed at dismantling Palestinian armed groups responsible for attacks on Israeli security forces and civilians. The violence has intensified since the Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023, which set off a broader regional conflict. The UN reports over 1,000 Palestinian deaths in the West Bank since the conflict's escalation, while at least 44 Israelis have been killed in related violence.

Video shows Israeli forces killing two Palestinians after apparent surrender in West Bank, sparking accusations of war crimes amid rising violence

A disturbing video has emerged showing Israeli security forces shooting and killing two Palestinian men who appeared to be surrendering during a military operation in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin. The footage, which has sparked outrage, shows the two men exiting a building with their hands raised in apparent surrender, before kneeling on the ground. One of the men lifts his t-shirt to show he is unarmed. After a brief pause, the men move back toward the building, at which point Israeli border police open fire, killing them both. Disturbing visuals. Viewers' discretion is advised

Video shows Israeli forces killing two Palestinians after apparent surrender in West Bank, sparking accusations of war crimes amid rising violence

WATCH | Israeli troops kill two Palestinians in West Bank. Here's what happened

As the West Asia crisis escalates, a top Palestinian leader has stressed that the US President-elect Donald Trump would "destroy Iran", leading to the destruction of Hamas' influence.
Israel and Hamas have been in a constant war for more than a year now. The conflict began with the Hamas attack on southern Israel in October last year.&nbsp;
The Hamas group has been rising against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?title=Palestinian+Authority" rel="dofollow">Palestinian Authority</a> - supported by the Western governments including the US - which is run by the rival Fatah party.
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-claims-director-of-gazas-kamal-adwan-hospital-a-hamas-terrorist-detains-him-days-after-he-accused-tel-aviv-of-targeting-medical-facility-8574358" rel="dofollow">Israel detains director of Gaza's 'last hospital,' accuses him of being a 'Hamas terrorist'</a>
&ldquo;We are confronting Hamas&rsquo; ideology,&rdquo; Mohammad Hamdan, Secretary General of the PA&rsquo;s ruling Fatah party, told The New York Post.
&ldquo;Our problem is with Hamas&rsquo; link to regimes outside Palestine,&rdquo; Hamdan said, referring to Iran in particular.&nbsp;
Hamdan said he expects Trump's return to the US administration to lead to Hamas and Iran's&nbsp; defeats.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We see that Trump and the ruling government in Israel are planning to destroy Iran, so Hamas [followers] will have no other choice than to become Palestinian,&rdquo; the leader said.&nbsp;
Notably, the Palestinian Authority has killed at least three extremist militants in Jenin since the December 6 incident.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-week-old-baby-girl-freezes-to-death-in-gaza-while-israel-and-hamas-trade-blames-of-ceasefire-delay-8568285" rel="dofollow">Three-week old baby girl freezes to death in Gaza while Israel and Hamas trade blame for ceasefire delay</a>
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?title=hamas" rel="dofollow">Hamas </a>took control of the Gaza Strip after defeating Fatah in the 2006 election. The group had a rule, which included an Islamist crackdown in the Palestinian territory and repeated incursions into Israel.&nbsp;
However, it came to an end with the October 7 attack on Israel.&nbsp;
Further, Hamdan said, &ldquo;Hamas rejects international legitimacy, meaning UN resolutions," adding, &ldquo;The world cannot accept a situation where a party does not accept international resolutions.&rdquo;
Hamdan also said PA President Mahmoud Abbas &ldquo;still supports realistic relations with the Americans in order to achieve the aspirations of the Palestinians.&rdquo;
Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: The Hamas group has been rising up against the Palestinian Authority, which is run by the rival Fatah party, The New York Post reported. 

As the West Asia crisis escalates, a top Palestinian leader has stressed that the US President-elect Donald Trump would "destroy Iran", leading to the destruction of Hamas' influence. Israel and Hamas have been in a constant war for more than a year now. The conflict began with the Hamas attack on southern Israel in October last year. The Hamas group has been rising against the Palestinian Authority - supported by the Western governments including the US - which is run by the rival Fatah party. Also read: Israel detains director of Gaza's 'last hospital,' accuses him of being a 'Hamas terrorist' “We are confronting Hamas’ ideology,” Mohammad Hamdan, Secretary General of the PA’s ruling Fatah party, told The New York Post. “Our problem is with Hamas’ link to regimes outside Palestine,” Hamdan said, referring to Iran in particular. Hamdan said he expects Trump's return to the US administration to lead to Hamas and Iran's defeats. “We see that Trump and the ruling government in Israel are planning to destroy Iran, so Hamas [followers] will have no other choice than to become Palestinian,” the leader said. Notably, the Palestinian Authority has killed at least three extremist militants in Jenin since the December 6 incident. Also read: Three-week old baby girl freezes to death in Gaza while Israel and Hamas trade blame for ceasefire delay Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip after defeating Fatah in the 2006 election. The group had a rule, which included an Islamist crackdown in the Palestinian territory and repeated incursions into Israel. However, it came to an end with the October 7 attack on Israel. Further, Hamdan said, “Hamas rejects international legitimacy, meaning UN resolutions," adding, “The world cannot accept a situation where a party does not accept international resolutions.” Hamdan also said PA President Mahmoud Abbas “still supports realistic relations with the Americans in order to achieve the aspirations of the Palestinians.” Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Palestinian leader predicts Trump will 'destroy' Iran

Israel's Finance Minister&nbsp;Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday (Aug 4) ordered the seizure of $26 million (100 million shekels) of tax funds intended for the Palestinian Authority, saying it would be used to pay for the Israeli victims of terrorism. The Palestinian Authority governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

In a statement, the finance ministry said that the seizure of funds was part of the measures to combat terrorism, the news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-issues-notam-restrictions-as-global-community-awaits-possible-attack-on-israel-747396">Iran issues NOTAM restrictions as global community awaits possible attack on Israel</a>

Quoting Finance Minister Smotrich, the statement accused the Palestinian Authority of diverting funds to the families of the terrorists. The statement noted that it was the fifth time that the finance ministry withheld funds, which Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinian authority.

<h2>'Working on ground to remove threat'</h2>

In a post on X, Smotrich said on Monday that the withholding of the Palestinian funds was part of a broader strategy to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state to ensure security for Israelis, alongside increased settlement in the West Bank.

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המאבק בטרור איננו רק מאבק צבאי אלא מאבק משולב הכולל מלחמה בהסתה הפרועה של הרשות הפלסטינית ובכספי הטרור אותם היא מפנה מתקציבה למשפחות מחבלים. 
 
כפי שנהגתי מאז כניסתי לתפקיד, פסקי דין כנגד הרשות הפלסטינית מועברים לעיקול מיידי מהכספים המועברים לרשות הפלסטינית ומועברים לפיצוי משפחות… <a href="https://t.co/5NuekdS3vG">pic.twitter.com/5NuekdS3vG</a>
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"We are working on the ground to remove this threat (of a Palestinian state) ... by strengthening settlement through construction, ... fighting the terror funds of the Palestinian Authority and its leaders, and maintaining complete Israeli control over the area," the finance minister added.

<h2>Israeli criticism of the Palestinian Authority</h2>

Israeli politicians have regularly criticised the Palestinian Authority for granting financial support&nbsp;to the families of Palestinians killed or jailed for acts of violence against Israel.

Also read | Gaza war: Security chiefs, negotiators, US all blaming Netanyahu for tanking hostage talks

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Since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7 last year, Israel has imposed economic curbs on the Palestinian Authority, often withholding tax revenues it collects on its behalf.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday (Aug 4) ordered the seizure of $26 million (100 million shekels) of tax funds intended for the Palestinian Authority, saying it would be used to pay for the Israeli victims of terrorism.

Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday (Aug 4) ordered the seizure of $26 million (100 million shekels) of tax funds intended for the Palestinian Authority, saying it would be used to pay for the Israeli victims of terrorism. The Palestinian Authority governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In a statement, the finance ministry said that the seizure of funds was part of the measures to combat terrorism, the news agency AFP reported. Also read | Iran issues NOTAM restrictions as global community awaits possible attack on Israel Quoting Finance Minister Smotrich, the statement accused the Palestinian Authority of diverting funds to the families of the terrorists. The statement noted that it was the fifth time that the finance ministry withheld funds, which Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinian authority. 'Working on ground to remove threat' In a post on X, Smotrich said on Monday that the withholding of the Palestinian funds was part of a broader strategy to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state to ensure security for Israelis, alongside increased settlement in the West Bank. המאבק בטרור איננו רק מאבק צבאי אלא מאבק משולב הכולל מלחמה בהסתה הפרועה של הרשות הפלסטינית ובכספי הטרור אותם היא מפנה מתקציבה למשפחות מחבלים. כפי שנהגתי מאז כניסתי לתפקיד, פסקי דין כנגד הרשות הפלסטינית מועברים לעיקול מיידי מהכספים המועברים לרשות הפלסטינית ומועברים לפיצוי משפחות… pic.twitter.com/5NuekdS3vG — בצלאל סמוטריץ' (@bezalelsm) August 4, 2024 × "We are working on the ground to remove this threat (of a Palestinian state) ... by strengthening settlement through construction, ... fighting the terror funds of the Palestinian Authority and its leaders, and maintaining complete Israeli control over the area," the finance minister added. Israeli criticism of the Palestinian Authority Israeli politicians have regularly criticised the Palestinian Authority for granting financial support to the families of Palestinians killed or jailed for acts of violence against Israel. Also read | Gaza war: Security chiefs, negotiators, US all blaming Netanyahu for tanking hostage talks × Since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7 last year, Israel has imposed economic curbs on the Palestinian Authority, often withholding tax revenues it collects on its behalf. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza war: Israel's finance minister orders seizure of $26 million in Palestinian tax funds

The newly appointed Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa formed a new cabinet on Thursday (Mar 28), in which he will also&nbsp;serve&nbsp;as the foreign minister, and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza amid the ongoing war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.&nbsp;

<h2>Palestinian Authority’s new cabinet</h2>

The PA announced the formation of the new cabinet but said that President Mahmoud Abbas will continue to remain in overall control, according to the presidential decree.&nbsp;

Abbas approved the new government presented by the PM, which is set to take office, on Sunday (Mar 31).&nbsp;

Earlier this month, the Palestinian president, who has been in power for nearly two decades, appointed his longtime adviser, Mustafa as the PM replacing Mohammed Shtayyeh who, along with his government, resigned in February.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Israel-US meeting on Rafah offensive plans

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Mustafa said that the new government’s “top national priority” would be the end of the war in Gaza, in his statement to the Palestinian president. He added that this would include a complete Israeli withdrawal from the enclave, reported Palestinian news agency Wafa.&nbsp;

His cabinet “will work on formulating visions to reunify the institutions, including assuming responsibility for Gaza,” said the Palestinian PM. &nbsp;

Mustafa had vowed to form a technocratic government and create an independent trust fund to help rebuild Gaza. The reforms also came amid international pressure to make changes in Abbas’ administration.&nbsp;

The Palestinian president has approved Mustafa’s cabinet which includes: financial expert Omar al-Bitar as finance minister; Muhamad al Amour, former president of the Palestinian Businessmen Association, as economy minister; Ziad Hab al-Reeh, ex-chief of the PA’s internal intelligence agency, as interior minister.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-downs-more-than-25-drones-in-latest-overnight-russian-strikes-705184">Ukraine claims it downed 26 drones in latest Russian strikes</a>

At least five of the incoming 23 ministers are from Gaza, reported the Associated Press. However, it was not immediately clear if they were still in the territory.&nbsp;

The new PA government will also have a state minister for “relief affairs”. Mustafa will be replacing Riyad al-Maliki as the foreign minister, reported Wafa.

Notably, the Palestinian Authority has limited powers in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Palestinian PM also noted the need to stop the “terrorism” by the Israeli settlers in the West Bank.&nbsp;

“In order to enable the launch of the recovery process and preparation for reconstruction, stop the aggression and settlement activities, and curb settlers' terrorism in the West Bank,” said Mustafa.&nbsp;

<h2>International calls for reform</h2>

Mustafa’s appointment as the PM had left Hamas fuming. The Palestinian militant group criticised the “unilateral” decision by Abbas saying that it was taken without consultation.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-mohammad-mustafa-the-new-prime-minister-of-palestinian-authority-700239">Who is Mohammad Mustafa, the new prime minister of Palestinian Authority?</a>

Members from Abbas’ Fatah movement and Hamas met in Russia, last month, in a bid to end long-time divisions weakening Palestinian political aspirations.&nbsp;

In response, Fatah blamed Hamas for the state in which Gaza is today because it unilaterally carried out “the Oct 7 adventure.”&nbsp;

Over the years, international efforts to reconcile Hamas and Fatah have failed. The United States called for reform in the PA to administer post-war Gaza before eventually attaining statehood.&nbsp;

However, Israel has rejected the idea saying it wants to maintain an open-ended security control over Gaza.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The newly appointed Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa formed a new cabinet on Thursday (Mar 28), in which he will also serve as the foreign minister, and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza amid the ongoing war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The newly appointed Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa formed a new cabinet on Thursday (Mar 28), in which he will also serve as the foreign minister, and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza amid the ongoing war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas. Palestinian Authority’s new cabinet The PA announced the formation of the new cabinet but said that President Mahmoud Abbas will continue to remain in overall control, according to the presidential decree. Abbas approved the new government presented by the PM, which is set to take office, on Sunday (Mar 31). Earlier this month, the Palestinian president, who has been in power for nearly two decades, appointed his longtime adviser, Mustafa as the PM replacing Mohammed Shtayyeh who, along with his government, resigned in February. WATCH | Israel-US meeting on Rafah offensive plans Mustafa said that the new government’s “top national priority” would be the end of the war in Gaza, in his statement to the Palestinian president. He added that this would include a complete Israeli withdrawal from the enclave, reported Palestinian news agency Wafa. His cabinet “will work on formulating visions to reunify the institutions, including assuming responsibility for Gaza,” said the Palestinian PM. Mustafa had vowed to form a technocratic government and create an independent trust fund to help rebuild Gaza. The reforms also came amid international pressure to make changes in Abbas’ administration. The Palestinian president has approved Mustafa’s cabinet which includes: financial expert Omar al-Bitar as finance minister; Muhamad al Amour, former president of the Palestinian Businessmen Association, as economy minister; Ziad Hab al-Reeh, ex-chief of the PA’s internal intelligence agency, as interior minister. Also Read | Ukraine claims it downed 26 drones in latest Russian strikes At least five of the incoming 23 ministers are from Gaza, reported the Associated Press. However, it was not immediately clear if they were still in the territory. The new PA government will also have a state minister for “relief affairs”. Mustafa will be replacing Riyad al-Maliki as the foreign minister, reported Wafa. Notably, the Palestinian Authority has limited powers in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Palestinian PM also noted the need to stop the “terrorism” by the Israeli settlers in the West Bank. “In order to enable the launch of the recovery process and preparation for reconstruction, stop the aggression and settlement activities, and curb settlers' terrorism in the West Bank,” said Mustafa. International calls for reform Mustafa’s appointment as the PM had left Hamas fuming. The Palestinian militant group criticised the “unilateral” decision by Abbas saying that it was taken without consultation. Also Read | Who is Mohammad Mustafa, the new prime minister of Palestinian Authority? Members from Abbas’ Fatah movement and Hamas met in Russia, last month, in a bid to end long-time divisions weakening Palestinian political aspirations. In response, Fatah blamed Hamas for the state in which Gaza is today because it unilaterally carried out “the Oct 7 adventure.” Over the years, international efforts to reconcile Hamas and Fatah have failed. The United States called for reform in the PA to administer post-war Gaza before eventually attaining statehood. However, Israel has rejected the idea saying it wants to maintain an open-ended security control over Gaza. (With inputs from agencies)

Palestinian Authority PM announces new cabinet, calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Israel and the United States are putting the financial squeeze on the Palestinian Authority (PA), where opposition to a long-awaited U.S. peace plan and anger over Israeli sanctions remain strong.

As Trump team prepares Mideast plan, Palestinians face financial crisis

The Palestinian Authority said Sunday it was withdrawing staff from the Rafah border post with Egypt in the southern Gaza Strip to protest against "brutal practices" by rival faction Hamas.&nbsp;

"This decision comes in the light of recent developments and brutal practices of the de facto gangs" in the Gaza Strip, said the PA's civil affairs authority in a statement, quoted by official Palestinian news agency WAFA.

It accused Hamas of "summoning, arresting and abusing our employees", leading it to conclude that their presence was futile, the statement said.&nbsp;

Islamist movement Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 in a near civil war with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas' Fatah party.

But the Palestinian Authority took control of Rafah in November 2017, as part of a deal that saw Egypt reopen a border that had been entirely shut from August that year and largely sealed for years before that. &nbsp;

"Since we took over the Rafah crossing, Hamas has been obstructing the work of our crew there," the statement said.

It said Egypt had made the reopening of Rafah — the only land crossing from the Gaza Strip to non-Palestinian territory beyond two posts with Israel — conditional on the PA being in-charge of it.&nbsp;

A Hamas spokesman said the PA's decision to withdraw "constitutes a new step by Mahmud Abbas in separating the West Bank from the Gaza Strip".&nbsp;

The PA is based in the city of Ramallah and only governs parts of the Israeli occupied West Bank, which is separated from the Gaza Strip by internationally recognised Israeli territory.

In late December, a Fatah spokesman accused Hamas of carrying out mass arrests of its members in the Gaza Strip. Hamas denied the allegation.

Several attempts to reconcile Fatah and Hamas have failed in recent years.&nbsp;

The internationally recognised PA has tightened pressure on Hamas in recent months by reducing the salaries of civil servants in Gaza, which has been squeezed by a long Israeli blockade.

The Palestinian Authority took control of Rafah in November 2017 as part of a deal that saw Egypt reopen a border.

The Palestinian Authority said Sunday it was withdrawing staff from the Rafah border post with Egypt in the southern Gaza Strip to protest against "brutal practices" by rival faction Hamas. "This decision comes in the light of recent developments and brutal practices of the de facto gangs" in the Gaza Strip, said the PA's civil affairs authority in a statement, quoted by official Palestinian news agency WAFA. It accused Hamas of "summoning, arresting and abusing our employees", leading it to conclude that their presence was futile, the statement said. Islamist movement Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 in a near civil war with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas' Fatah party. But the Palestinian Authority took control of Rafah in November 2017, as part of a deal that saw Egypt reopen a border that had been entirely shut from August that year and largely sealed for years before that. "Since we took over the Rafah crossing, Hamas has been obstructing the work of our crew there," the statement said. It said Egypt had made the reopening of Rafah — the only land crossing from the Gaza Strip to non-Palestinian territory beyond two posts with Israel — conditional on the PA being in-charge of it. A Hamas spokesman said the PA's decision to withdraw "constitutes a new step by Mahmud Abbas in separating the West Bank from the Gaza Strip". The PA is based in the city of Ramallah and only governs parts of the Israeli occupied West Bank, which is separated from the Gaza Strip by internationally recognised Israeli territory. In late December, a Fatah spokesman accused Hamas of carrying out mass arrests of its members in the Gaza Strip. Hamas denied the allegation. Several attempts to reconcile Fatah and Hamas have failed in recent years. The internationally recognised PA has tightened pressure on Hamas in recent months by reducing the salaries of civil servants in Gaza, which has been squeezed by a long Israeli blockade.

Palestinian Authority pulls staff from Rafah border crossing

&nbsp;The&nbsp;Palestinian&nbsp;Authority&nbsp;cut&nbsp;salaries&nbsp;for its staff in&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;by 20 percent on Thursday and failed to make up for skipping the previous month's pay, leaving civil servants in the impoverished territory fuming they were pawns in a factional power struggle.

Some 38,000 civil servants in the&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;Strip learned of the new disruptions to their incomes upon arriving at their banks on payday, intent on withdrawing cash ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins on May 16.

Last month, they were not paid at all. Many were hoping for two months pay this month, but instead received a reduced rate of a single month's pay, with no explanation.

PA&nbsp;salaries&nbsp;in the other&nbsp;Palestinian&nbsp;territory, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, were paid in full.

The Islamist group Hamas seized control of&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;from&nbsp;Palestinian&nbsp;President Mahmoud Abbas in 2007, prompting Israel and Egypt to clamp down on the territory, where 2 million people live under a de facto blockade with the world's highest unemployment rate.

In an Egyptian-mediated bid to end the rift and reunite the two&nbsp;Palestinian&nbsp;territories, Hamas said last year it would cede the territory's control to Abbas's&nbsp;authority. But many&nbsp;Gazans still feel like they are being used as pawns in a power-struggle between the two groups.

"If they've failed to resolve this issue through dialogue, it can't be resolved by (using) the poor employee," said Eyad Kalloub, a 40-year-old civil servant, as he queued at his bank.

The&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;wage&nbsp;cuts&nbsp;were the second round in as many years imposed by the&nbsp;Palestinian authority, which still administers the payroll for civil servants in the territory run by Hamas.

In April 2017, Abbas slashed&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;salaries&nbsp;by 30 percent. He has also slashed PA staff numbers in&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;from 60,000 last year, by ordering early retirement for nearly a third of employees.

Palestinian&nbsp;Authority&nbsp;officials said at the time that those moves were meant to pressure Hamas to relinquish&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;control. However, last month they blamed the&nbsp;latest hold-up in wages on technical problems.

Economists said the PA&nbsp;cuts&nbsp;would shrink the tax revenue collected in&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;by Hamas - which it uses to pay 40,000 employees it has hired in the enclave since 2007.

That exacerbates Hamas budgetary shortfalls caused by Egypt's closure of smuggling tunnels from its Sinai peninsula to&nbsp;Gaza. The Islamist faction had collected tax on goods brought in through the tunnels.

More than half of&nbsp;Gazans depend on international aid, and 43.6 percent of workers are unemployed, the highest rate in the world. Basic utilities such as water purification and power have deteriorated.

Israel, which has fought three wars in&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;in the decade since Hamas took over, bars a range of goods that it says could have military uses from entering the territory, making reconstruction difficult and costly.

Jamal Abu Gholy, 38, a civil servant, came to his&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;bank hoping to draw on his April salary, only to learn that it had not been deposited. Instead, he owed the bank for an overdraft.

"What shall I do about Ramadan?" he asked, thinking of the festive meals which Muslims break their daily fasting over the course of the month. "I can't just put out cheese and jam. We tell President Abbas: please show mercy towards us."

Some 38,000 civil servants in the Gaza Strip learned of the new disruptions to their incomes upon arriving at their banks on payday, intent on withdrawing cash ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins on May 16.

The Palestinian Authority cut salaries for its staff in Gaza by 20 percent on Thursday and failed to make up for skipping the previous month's pay, leaving civil servants in the impoverished territory fuming they were pawns in a factional power struggle. Some 38,000 civil servants in the Gaza Strip learned of the new disruptions to their incomes upon arriving at their banks on payday, intent on withdrawing cash ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins on May 16. Last month, they were not paid at all. Many were hoping for two months pay this month, but instead received a reduced rate of a single month's pay, with no explanation. PA salaries in the other Palestinian territory, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, were paid in full. The Islamist group Hamas seized control of Gaza from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in 2007, prompting Israel and Egypt to clamp down on the territory, where 2 million people live under a de facto blockade with the world's highest unemployment rate. In an Egyptian-mediated bid to end the rift and reunite the two Palestinian territories, Hamas said last year it would cede the territory's control to Abbas's authority. But many Gazans still feel like they are being used as pawns in a power-struggle between the two groups. "If they've failed to resolve this issue through dialogue, it can't be resolved by (using) the poor employee," said Eyad Kalloub, a 40-year-old civil servant, as he queued at his bank. The Gaza wage cuts were the second round in as many years imposed by the Palestinian authority, which still administers the payroll for civil servants in the territory run by Hamas. In April 2017, Abbas slashed Gaza salaries by 30 percent. He has also slashed PA staff numbers in Gaza from 60,000 last year, by ordering early retirement for nearly a third of employees. Palestinian Authority officials said at the time that those moves were meant to pressure Hamas to relinquish Gaza control. However, last month they blamed the latest hold-up in wages on technical problems. Economists said the PA cuts would shrink the tax revenue collected in Gaza by Hamas - which it uses to pay 40,000 employees it has hired in the enclave since 2007. That exacerbates Hamas budgetary shortfalls caused by Egypt's closure of smuggling tunnels from its Sinai peninsula to Gaza. The Islamist faction had collected tax on goods brought in through the tunnels. More than half of Gazans depend on international aid, and 43.6 percent of workers are unemployed, the highest rate in the world. Basic utilities such as water purification and power have deteriorated. Israel, which has fought three wars in Gaza in the decade since Hamas took over, bars a range of goods that it says could have military uses from entering the territory, making reconstruction difficult and costly. Jamal Abu Gholy, 38, a civil servant, came to his Gaza bank hoping to draw on his April salary, only to learn that it had not been deposited. Instead, he owed the bank for an overdraft. "What shall I do about Ramadan?" he asked, thinking of the festive meals which Muslims break their daily fasting over the course of the month. "I can't just put out cheese and jam. We tell President Abbas: please show mercy towards us."

Anger as Palestinian Authority cuts and pays Gaza salaries late

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA)&nbsp;recalled its ambassador to the US on Sunday in Washington following&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=US">US</a>&nbsp;President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Donald%20Trump">Donald Trump</a>&#39;s controversial decision of recognising&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Jerusalem">Jerusalem</a>&nbsp;as the capital of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Israel">Israel</a>&nbsp;a few weeks ago.

The PNA&#39;s move was done in order to have &quot;consultations&quot; over the crisis with Washington after its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

A brief statement by the Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riad Maliki mentioned that he decided to recall the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) mission in the US, Ambassador Hossam Zomlot, media reports said.

Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki on Sunday said, &quot;The discussions would take place to set the decisions needed by the Palestinian leadership in the coming period regarding our relations with the US our US envoy will return back to &#39;his normal work&#39; after the discussions.&quot;

On December 6, US President Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital and ordered to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, which met strong Palestinian and Arab rejection.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinians would no longer work with the US as an interlocutor in the peace process between themselves and Israel.

It is also a disputed territory, contested by both Israel and Palestine, which sees it as a capital of its future state.&nbsp;

The PNA's move was done in order to have 'consultations' over the crisis with Washington after its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) recalled its ambassador to the US on Sunday in Washington following US President Donald Trump's controversial decision of recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel a few weeks ago. The PNA's move was done in order to have "consultations" over the crisis with Washington after its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. A brief statement by the Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riad Maliki mentioned that he decided to recall the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) mission in the US, Ambassador Hossam Zomlot, media reports said. Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki on Sunday said, "The discussions would take place to set the decisions needed by the Palestinian leadership in the coming period regarding our relations with the US our US envoy will return back to 'his normal work' after the discussions." On December 6, US President Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and ordered to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, which met strong Palestinian and Arab rejection. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinians would no longer work with the US as an interlocutor in the peace process between themselves and Israel. It is also a disputed territory, contested by both Israel and Palestine, which sees it as a capital of its future state.

Palestine recalls its ambassador to US over Jerusalem crisis

Qatar said on Thursday it would give $30 million to help pay the salaries of thousands of Gaza Strip public sector workers left without a full wage package since 2013. 
 
The donation was welcomed by Hamas, the Islamist group that dominates the enclave, who said it would help ease the wage shortages that have tested already strained relations with the US-backed Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank. 
 
There was no immediate comment from Palestinian Authority or Israel, who have long been suspicious of Qatar&#39;s regular donations to Hamas and other Islamist groups across the region. 
 
The emir of the wealthy Gulf state, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, said the payment of 113 million Riyals was meant to &quot;alleviate suffering and financial distress&quot;, according to Qatar&#39;s state news agency, QNA. 
 
Hamas fighters seized control of Gaza in 2007 from forces loyal to Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas and his Palestinian Authority, triggering years of mutual distrust.&nbsp;A reconciliation pact signed in 2014 by the two sides raised hopes among Hamas that its 50,000 public sector employees&#39; wages would be taken care of via the Palestinian Authority (PA) payroll. 
 
But the Palestinian Authority cannot afford to pay all those extra workers, and international donors who support the PA budget, including the European Union, say they want an audit of workers and cutbacks to the bloated payroll, which costs more than $2 billion a year. 
 
The Hamas-hired public servants have grown restive and in 2014 protested over their lack of payment which is partly due to a continued blockade imposed on Gaza by both Israel and Egypt. 
 
&quot;The July payment will be made in full immediately once the Qatari financial fund is received,&quot; Hamas&#39; deputy finance minister, Youssef al-Kayyali said. 
 
Qatar, which hosts the largest US air base in the Middle East, has for years preserved influence with Islamist forces across the region it believes are the long-term future.&nbsp;The breadth and resilience of Qatar&#39;s links to Islamist groups, including Egypt&#39;s Muslim Brotherhood, which has suffered a crackdown in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, fuels suspicions in other Gulf states. 
 
(Reuters)

Neither the Palestinian Authority nor Israel commented. Both view Qatar's regular donations to Hamas, other Islamist groups with suspicion

Qatar said on Thursday it would give $30 million to help pay the salaries of thousands of Gaza Strip public sector workers left without a full wage package since 2013. The donation was welcomed by Hamas, the Islamist group that dominates the enclave, who said it would help ease the wage shortages that have tested already strained relations with the US-backed Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank. There was no immediate comment from Palestinian Authority or Israel, who have long been suspicious of Qatar's regular donations to Hamas and other Islamist groups across the region. The emir of the wealthy Gulf state, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, said the payment of 113 million Riyals was meant to "alleviate suffering and financial distress", according to Qatar's state news agency, QNA. Hamas fighters seized control of Gaza in 2007 from forces loyal to Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas and his Palestinian Authority, triggering years of mutual distrust. A reconciliation pact signed in 2014 by the two sides raised hopes among Hamas that its 50,000 public sector employees' wages would be taken care of via the Palestinian Authority (PA) payroll. But the Palestinian Authority cannot afford to pay all those extra workers, and international donors who support the PA budget, including the European Union, say they want an audit of workers and cutbacks to the bloated payroll, which costs more than $2 billion a year. The Hamas-hired public servants have grown restive and in 2014 protested over their lack of payment which is partly due to a continued blockade imposed on Gaza by both Israel and Egypt. "The July payment will be made in full immediately once the Qatari financial fund is received," Hamas' deputy finance minister, Youssef al-Kayyali said. Qatar, which hosts the largest US air base in the Middle East, has for years preserved influence with Islamist forces across the region it believes are the long-term future. The breadth and resilience of Qatar's links to Islamist groups, including Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, which has suffered a crackdown in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, fuels suspicions in other Gulf states. (Reuters)

Qatar to give $30 million to pay Gaza public sector workers

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