PALESTINE Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah’s government resigned today in a bid to form a new administration as Fatah’s central committee (FCC) seeks to isolate rivals Hamas.

The FCC wants to form a governing body made up of representatives of various factions in the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and independent personalities pushing Hamas aside.

FCC member Azzam al-Ahmad said at the weekend: “We plan to form a new government of factions soon in response to Hamas’s failure to undertake its national responsibility in handing over the Gaza Strip to the legitimate PA [Palestinian Authority],” adding: “Hamas helped form the last government. This time, it will not participate in its formation or be a part of it.”