Gaza – Palestinian Prime Minister Rami al-Hamdallah said his government was ready to work in Gaza Strip, stressing that there would neither be an independent state in Gaza nor would a Palestinian State be established without it.

Hamdallah called on Hamas Movement, which has been controlling Gaza for 10 years, to respond to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ initiative, dissolve the administrative committee and enable the government to work to end divisions and restore national unity.

“There is a de facto government in Gaza since 2007, and its procedures are of a political nature. The end of this government is a step towards ending the division. We are ready to go to Gaza to work, but how will we work with another government run by Hamas?” The prime minister said in an interview with the Palestinian Television.

He stressed that attempts to separate Gaza would not succeed, adding that “setting conditions before the dissolution of the administrative committee would hamper reconciliation efforts.”

He also noted that his government has maintained its financial support to Gaza and paid around 70 to 80 million shekels per month.

In response, Hamas Spokesman Hazem Qassem said that the ongoing problem had no connection with the administrative committee, noting that the Palestinian government had not fulfilled its duties since its establishment in June 2014.

In statements to Asharq al-Awsat, the Hamas official said that repeated talks about the dissolution of the administrative committee were aimed at misleading the public opinion, adding that the crisis would be resolved “when Abbas removes all punitive measures” against the Strip.

Qassem urged the Palestinian government to assume its duties towards Gaza and to complete the implementation of the reconciliation agreement, by calling for a meeting between the PLO’s provisional leadership and the Legislative Council, and holding genuine and comprehensive elections.

He pointed out that his movement is ready to dissolve the administrative committee if Abbas implements those measures and lifts all sanctions against the Gaza Strip.