Head of militia in Gaza to i24NEWS: "We are building Rafah as an area outside Hamas control, we have established schools"

A militia leader in Gaza told i24NEWS that his organization is building Rafah as an area outside Hamas control, and has already established schools and kindergartens. He criticized the Palestinian Authority for coordinating with Hamas. Fatah activists said Hamas prevents the Authority from operating in the Strip.

A senior militia leader in Gaza told i24NEWS that his organization is building Rafah as an area outside Hamas control, and has already established schools and kindergartens. The senior figure criticized the Palestinian Authority, saying: "We are not like the Palestinian Authority, which turns to Hamas and asks for its approval." According to him, the Authority chose to coordinate moves with Hamas and cannot now complain that Hamas prevents it from advancing projects. Meanwhile, Fatah activists told i24NEWS that Hamas prevents the Authority from operating in Gaza, and government workers were forced to sign a commitment not to operate without Hamas approval. The background to the conflict is a joint project of the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Public Works and the UN to set up residential camps using fiberglass tents, intended to provide a solution for displaced persons ahead of winter. According to reports, Hamas arrested engineers and staff involved in the project and confiscated the tents.

Head of militia in Gaza to i24NEWS: "We are building Rafah as an area outside Hamas control, we have established schools"