Hamas blocks Fatah officials from traveling to West Bank
Hamas' security forces in Gaza have prevented Fatah figures from traveling to the West Bank in what observers say is the movement lashing out at President Mahmoud Abbas’ escalating measures against the Gaza Strip.
Several Fatah leaders loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas have been prevented from traveling to the West Bank to attend meetings recently. Hamas' security forces in the Gaza Strip prevented the deputy secretary of Fatah's Revolutionary Council, Fayez Abu Eita, from traveling to the West Bank on July 11 through the Beit Hanoun/Erez checkpoint to attend a Fatah meeting. No justification was given.
On June 30, Hamas security prevented Fatah Central Committee member Ahmad Halas from crossing the checkpoint. Member of the PLO’s Executive Committee and head of its Department of Refugee Affairs, Zakaria al-Agha, was turned back twice, on May 19 and 30.
