Unity govt urges ex-Gaza employees to go back to work

The Palestinian unity government has called on civil servants appointed before Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip in 2007 to return to their positions.

"The Palestinian cabinet stresses the need of the return of all old employees to their positions," the Ramallah-based government said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The related ministers have to arrange the return of their employees through suitable mechanisms with a view to empowering the government [in Gaza] as part of the reconciliation agreement," it added.

The government move was swiftly criticized by Hamas.

In a statement, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum said the government call for former employees to return to their jobs was "in violation of a 2011 reconciliation deal in Cairo" between Palestinian factions.

Hamas leaders have earlier said the return of the former employees was linked to the work of a panel formed to discuss the status of Hamas-appointed employees in the seaside strip.

The panel is yet to finish its work.

The Palestinian Authority-affiliated employees quit their positions in 2007 upon orders from President Mahmud Abbas in protest of Hamas' takeover of Gaza.

Last month, Hamas and Fatah -- Palestine's two leading political movements -- signed a landmark reconciliation agreement in Cairo aimed at healing their decade-long rift after Hamas captured Gaza from Fatah in 2007 after days of street fighting.

On Sunday, Fatah leaders accused Hamas of hindering the Palestinian unity government from operating in Gaza, a claim vehemently denied by Hamas.