Hamas officials in Gaza have prevented the entry of two rival officials into the coastal territory. Hamas Interior Ministry spokesman Ihab Ghussein says they did not allow Rawhi Fattouh and Abdullah Franji to enter. They are advisers to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Hamas has controlled entry into Gaza since wresting power from forces loyal to Abbas three years ago. Several rounds of reconciliation efforts headed by Egypt have failed. It is rare for the militant Islamic group to ban rivals from entry if they have co-ordinated first with Hamas. The men said they had permission to enter.
Ghussein said the ban Sunday came after Abbas' forces began a new arrest campaign of Hamas loyalists in the West Bank. Both sides routinely crack down on rivals.
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