Armed terrorists of the Fatah faction led by Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas have purged the Hamas-led city councils in Shechem and Jenin, Arab sources reported. Fatah is replacing the officials with members of their own faction. No injuries were reported.

The overthrow of Hamas follows the Hamas attacks on Fatah leaders in the Gaza region. Abbas so far has rejected calls by Hamas to negotiate and effectively has surrendered Gaza to Hamas while trying to take a stronger grip on Judea and Samaria.