Palestinian Authority cuts off Hamas lawmakers' salaries The Palestinian Authority has cut off the salaries of Hamas lawmakers in the West Bank, the latest in a series of recent measures that have escalated tensions between the rival factions

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- The Palestinian Authority has cut off the salaries of Hamas lawmakers in the West Bank, the latest in a series of recent measures that have escalated tensions between the rival factions.

President Mahmoud Abbas dissolved the 132-member assembly last month. Deputy Parliament Speaker Hassan Khreisheh said Wednesday that all but 48 lawmakers — mostly Hamas members — received their salaries this week.

Palestinian officials aligned with Abbas' Fatah movement have threatened further action against Hamas over its refusal to hand over power in the Gaza Strip, even as Israel has sought to preserve calm in and around the blockaded territory.

Last week, the Palestinian Authority withdrew from the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, which it had been operating as part of a 2017 reconciliation agreement with Hamas.