The ongoing sanctions imposed by the Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas on the blockaded Gaza Strip are signs of the PA’s dragging of its feet as regards national reconciliation Hamas said on Monday evening.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem said the fact that the Fatah-affiliated PA has not lifted sanctions on the Gaza enclave is a proof of its monopolization of decision-making and refusal of political partnership.
Head of the Union of Civil Servants appointed before June 14 2007 Aref Bbu Jarad said the Fatah-affiliated Palestinian government led by Prime Minister Rami al-Hamdallah reneged on its pledges to hand over allowances to Gaza’s employees and forced dozens of them into early retirement.
In early April last year Abbas issued tough sanctions against the Gaza Strip including salary cuts reduction of power supplies suspension of medical referrals and the enforcement of early retirement against thousands of workers.
