Fatah accused Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, of trying to control the West Bank, after seizing weapons and explosives in tunnels running under Ramallah.
The seized weapons were a part of a plot by Hamas to undermine the Palestinian Authority, security and order, charged Fatah.
It made the allegations days after an accidental explosion went off at a carpentry shop in Ramallah’s Beitunia, which in turn led to the discovery of tunnels running under it.
In the first official accusation, Fatah said Hamas is pursuing terrorism to seize the West Bank, adding that “the Beitunia tunnels, stockpiled with weapons and explosives, are a vivid example of that.”
Media leaks said the weapons were intended to be used in operations targeting the symbols of the Palestinian Authority and its security headquarters.
Individuals affiliated with Hamas were arrested and put under investigation.
Prior to Fatah’s accusation, there was no official comment from the Palestinian Authority about the explosion.
For its part, Hamas denied its involvement in the alleged plot.
Fatah made its accusations on the 15th anniversary of Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip.
According to Fatah, Hamas’ plots do not end with separating the Gaza Strip from the homeland, but they extend to controlling the West Bank.
Fatah’s strong language with Hamas confirms that it is moving forward in restoring the Gaza Strip to Palestinian national legitimacy.
In 2007, Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip by armed force after fighting against rivals that killed hundreds of Palestinians.
All mediation attempts to mend the rift have failed.
