Hamas urges Palestinian President Abbas to lift ‘sanctions’ against Gaza

Gaza’s Hamas movement has called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to lift, what they describe as, his “sanctions” on the coastal territory. Friday’s call followed Abbas’ threats to “give up responsibility” for Gaza if Hamas doesn’t respond positively to Egyptian efforts to broker reconciliation between rival Palestinian factions, AP reports. Abbas slashed funding to Gaza and cut salaries of Palestinian Authority employees there to pressure Hamas into handing over the territory. Hamas fears Abbas may reduce funding to health care and other services for Gazans. Hundreds of Hamas supporters marched in anti-Abbas protests late Thursday after his speech at the United Nations.