PA Unity Govt. Cuts Contact With Hamas

The unity government fraught with high tensions since being formed between Hamas and the leading Palestinian Authority (PA) faction Fatah last April appears to be closer then ever to a collapse, as the unity government cut contact with Hamas on Sunday.

 

PA unity government Labor Minister Mamoun Abu Shahla told the Palestinian Arab Ma’an News Agency on Sunday that the move has come as part of the fallout after a unity government delegation was allegedly held hostage in their hotel during a visit to Gaza last Monday.

 

The delegation, which had arrived on Sunday and left almost immediately after while charging Hamas with not allowing them to visit ministry headquarters to sort out a wage dispute, included eight unity government ministers.

 

According to Abu Shahla, “there has been no contact between the government and Hamas since the return of the ministerial delegation, which was unable to achieve its aims due to restrictions imposed by Hamas.”

 

“The actions of Hamas during the delegation’s visit will not go unnoticed and certainly there will be consequences,” threatened the minister.

 

Abu Shahla warned that there is no reason to think the rapidly widening gaps between the PA and Hamas can be patched up, indicating that the growing tensions may be quickly leading Fatah and Hamas to the point of no return.

 

Read More: PA Unity Govt. Cuts Contact With Hamas – Middle East – News – Arutz Sheva