Special to WorldTribune.com

GAZA CITY — Hamas has warned that it could end reconciliation with the rival Fatah movement and formally regain the Gaza Strip from the Palestinian Authority.

The Islamic movement has raised the prospect that Hamas would again expel the PA and restore control over the Gaza Strip. In an analysis, Hamas warned that it could not continue to oversee the chaos and economic decline in the strip.

“All of these instructions prove that Hamas is a tough situation, and has to choose one among these five scenarios,” the Hamas daily Al Risala said.

In an analysis on Jan. 16, Hamas said it could be “compelled to take a serious turn” to end the deadlock in the Gaza Strip. The analysis said Hamas was frustrated by the PA’s failure to launch reconstruction in wake of the 50-day with Israel in mid-2014.

“The first scenario is built on the assumption that Hamas has to take control over the Gaza Strip one more time,” the analysis said. “The hard part about it is that the international projects in Gaza will be stopped completely, the siege will become tougher, and the financial crisis will increase.”

The analysis said the PA has demanded the unconditional abdication of Hamas from power as well as the disarming of its military. The analysis also raised the prospect that Hamas, after expelling the PA, would form a joint command with other political factions in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas also ruled out a long-term ceasefire with Israel to ensure the continuation of Islamic rule. Another scenario was a war against Israel, “which would lead to the collapse of the PA.”

“Thus, Hamas will find itself in a better position to strengthen its place worldwide,” the analysis said.

Hamas officials, however, continue to express their support of the reconciliation agreement with Fatah. They said Hamas would not allow the PA to work with Israel and its allies.

“We seek to rebuild the PLO and we will give the Palestinian government of national reconciliation a chance to get succeed,” Hamas foreign relations chief Osama Hamdan said.

  Hamas threatens Palestinian Authority with Gaza takeover, WorldTribune.com