As the situation in Gaza declines, tensions are escalating between the two Palestinian factions. On Tuesday, former Gaza security chief Mohammad Dahlan called Hamas militants in Gaza an occupation force.

Mohammad Dahlan: “The Palestinian National Authority and President Abu Mazen and the PLO is in charge politically and legally of the West Bank and Gaza. There is no place for things that we are hearing, and all these matters that took place are illegal, and we will not recognize it at all. In reality, Hamas is besieging the Gaza Strip. We will treat it as an occupation force, but we will not resist the occupation force now.”

Senior Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya vowed Hamas will not relinquish its new control.

Khalil Al-Hayya: “(Hamas) will be completely taking over legal responsibilities in order to serve. If we have to choose between us and between caretaking for the West Bank, we will take on our full responsibility in Gaza, and we will not allow anyone to take over this responsibility from us or interfere in the government’s authority.”