GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP -- Hundreds of Palestinians staged strikes and demonstrations Saturday in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to demand payment of overdue salaries to government workers -- the first public signs of discontent with the Hamas-led Cabinet's handling of a growing financial crisis.
The unrest occurred ahead of a meeting in Gaza late Saturday between Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and moderate President Mahmoud Abbas. The two, involved in a power struggle since Hamas defeated Abbas' Fatah Party in January legislative elections, failed to resolve their differences but agreed to meet again Sunday.
Until now, the Palestinian public had heeded calls for patience, following the government in blaming the crisis on Western hostility to Hamas.
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