Amid the ongoing rift and faltering round of negotiations between rival Palestinian movements Fatah and Hamas, the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority (PA) is taking another step to crack down on Hamas activities in the West Bank.

In a not-unusual exchange of rhetoric, Hussein al-Sheikh, a member of the Fatah Central Committee, declared Nov. 27 that no reconciliation will take place unless Hamas ends its control of the Gaza Strip. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri replied the same day, pointing out that Hamas won the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections in 2006 and Fatah lost. He said Fatah must stop being so arrogant toward Hamas.

But five days earlier, the Palestinian Cabinet took more concrete action, approving the National Strategy for Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing. The strategy was cultivated by the National Assessment Team set up by Palestinian officials in 2016. The team represents public and private institutions as well as Palestinian civil society organizations.

The Cabinet endorsed the plan to identify risks related to terrorism financing; enhance investigation, prosecution, arrest and confiscation procedures; identify bank transfer beneficiaries; boost domestic and international coordination; and strengthen financial oversight, integrity and transparency.