The Palestinian umbrella organization Fatah, led by President Mahmud Abbas on the West Bank, says that a decision from Hamas is crucial for the Palestinians' "existence" on the Gaza Strip.
"Hamas must show Gaza – its children, women, and men – compassion", writes Fatah's spokesperson Monther al-Hayek in a text message to the news agency AFP, adding that Hamas must release its grip on power on the Gaza Strip and "leave the governing and fully realize that a future struggle leads to the end of the Palestinians' existence".
The Islamist extremist movement Hamas took power in Gaza from rival Fatah in June 2007 – whereupon representatives of Fatah were forced to flee the area.
