By Xinhua,
Gaza : A Hamas spokesman Monday played down reports that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) was considering to outlaw the movement’s armed wing in the West Bank.
“This is a shame on those who study to ban the al-Qassam brigades and this decision will greatly fail,” said Fawzi Barhoom,a spokesman for Hamas in Gaza.
“Those who want to ban al-Qassam have to face all the Palestinian people and this will be impossible,” Barhoom added.
A Palestinian official Monday said the PNA was studying to outlaw Hamas’ militant activities in the West Bank without banning the movement as a political party.
In June last year, Hamas armed wing led the attack on security forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Gaza, routing the forces and ousting the long-dominant Fatah movement.
Since then, Hamas has tightened its grip on Gaza while Abbas consolidated his power in the West Bank where he formed a western-backed government in the occupied territory.
Last month, Hamas accused Fatah of being involved in a beachside blast that killed a girl and five members of al-Qassam Brigades.
Following the explosion, Hamas launched a crackdown against Fatah in Gaza, arresting hundreds of the movement’s supporters and leaders and shutting down many Fatah-linked civil institutions.