Report: Hamas threatens Israel unless Fatah backs off

Israeli online forums claim Hamas passed a message to Egypt and the UN: If Fatah doesn't back off, we'll be 'forced' to act against Israel.

By HAGAY HACOHEN
Updated: JANUARY 8, 2019 08:27
Flames rise after a rocket attack in Sderot, near the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border, November 12, 2018. (photo credit: REUTERS/AMIR COHEN)
Flames rise after a rocket attack in Sderot, near the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border, November 12, 2018.
(photo credit: REUTERS/AMIR COHEN)
Hamas sent a strong message to Israel on Monday: If Fatah doesn't back off, we'll be '"forced" to act against Israel, according to information shared by Israeli online forums.
Hamas sent the message to the Jewish state via Egypt and the United Nations that Israel should convince Fatah  to ease up on Hamas or else the terrorist group will be forced to attack.
Egypt announced Monday that it would close the Rafah border crossing to Palestinians.
On Sunday, in a surprise move, the Palestinian Authority announced that it has decided to pull out all its employees from the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.
Palestinian Authority official Azzam al-Ahmad compared Hamas to a terrorist who hijacked a plane and called on the terrorist organization to relinquish Gaza and return it to the PA's control.
Al-Ahmad said that the PA is considering further steps, such as withdrawing from the Keren Shalom crossing, limiting passports issued to Gazans, and cutting down on education and health services offered to those living in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
Hamas said that such words are "a declaration of war on those living in the Gaza Strip" and that it "won't allow this gang to continue to abuse Gaza."
Israel, according to the report, assured the UN and Egypt it will do what it can to ensure the PA will not carry through such measures.
The full details of this report have not been confirmed. This is a developing story.