Several security incidents took place Jan. 9 in the Gaza Strip — including the bombing of a Bank of Palestine ATM in Gaza City, the destruction of the bank’s surveillance cameras in the Deir al-Balah branch in central Gaza, the bombing of a generator that provides electricity to the residence of government spokesman Ihab Bseiso and the robbery of a storehouse belonging to the telecommunications company.

These bombings were followed by phone threats to several government ministers Jan. 10, saying, “It is only you who bear responsibility for Abbas’ gang’s mockery, and before you crush the heart of 50,000 employees we will crush yours.”

Incidents such as these have been absent in Gaza since Hamas seized control in mid-2007 and tightly controlled the territory's security, which it prides itself on.

Although Hamas has abandoned the government following the reconciliation agreement, Gaza’s Palestinians know well that the existing security agencies in the Gaza Strip are still exerting their control. This has raised questions as to the extent to which Hamas is responsible for the security breaches.