Hamas cements hold over Gaza in announcing payment of civil servants’ salaries
The Hamas government in the Gaza Strip will begin paying thousands of civil servants cut from the payroll of its moderate rival Fatah, officials said Saturday, further entrenching the divisions between the two Palestinian territories. Hamas’ takeover of Gaza, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ subsequent decision to dismiss the Hamas government, effectively set up two Palestinian administrations. Abbas has installed a Cabinet headed by U.S.-backed Prime Minister Salam Fayyad that has control of the West Bank. Full Story