GAZA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Authority (PA) decided on Sunday night to withdraw its employees and police forces working at Rafah border crossing point between southern Gaza Strip and Egypt until a further notice.
The PA General Corporation for Civil Affairs (Liaison) announced in an emailed press statement that it decided to withdraw all its Palestinian employees from the crossing starting on Monday.
The statement clarified that the decision was made in protest against Hamas security forces' crackdown of Fatah supporters in the Gaza Strip who were loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The PA held Hamas responsible for devoting the internal Palestinian division after detaining dozens of Fatah leaders and members loyal to Abbas in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas decided to prevent Fatah supporters from rallying on Monday to mark the 54th year for the establishment of Fatah movement.
In November 2017, the PA took over the Rafah border crossing with Egypt and two other crossing points on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
The PA handed over the crossing points in accordance with a reconciliation agreement brokered by Egypt and signed in Cairo in Oct. 12, 2017.
