Rival Hamas and Hamas parties, which frequently are engaged in violent clashes, also are fighting over control of banks operating in Gaza. Hamas legal advisor Mohammed Al-Abid charged that Fatah asked Gaza banks to move their headquarters to Ramallah, in Samaria, where the PA is based. He said the PA also demanded that the banks turn over details of their clients' accounts, according to the Bethlehem-based Maan news agency.
Al-Abid said the demand violates the law, which is interpreted differently by the PA, which Hamas accused of twisting the interpretation to allow it to intervene in bank operations.