PA officials have told the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation, "Hamas is behind the recent events and it is trying to shock the West Bank and drive a wedge between the Palestinian street and the Palestinian Authority," claiming, "We want quiet and we do not want problems. This chain must be stopped. If the situation escalates it will be against us and against you as one. So far we are controlling the situation."
One of the officials said, "The Palestinian Authority allows and encourages the collection of money for the rebuilding of houses of terrorists destroyed by Israel in its efforts to contain the situation and to break the cycle of revenge. The rebuilding of the house reduces the desire for revenge by other family members."