Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has pledged to keep cutting support payments for Hamas-ruled Gaza despite what he says is U.S. criticism of such tactics. Abbas' autonomy government in the West Bank began earlier this year to scale back electricity payments and other financial support to force Hamas to cede ground in Gaza. The Islamic terrorist group seized the territory in 2007 via a military coup, defeating pro-Abbas forces. Reconciliation attempts between Fatah and Hamas have so far failed. Abbas told a gathering at his headquarters Saturday that "we will continue the cuts in Gaza, gradually, unless Hamas accepts the requirements of the reconciliation." Such cuts have exacerbated blackouts. Abbas says U.S. officials told him he should not cut electricity. He says those opposed to pressuring Hamas "don't want to see an independent [Palestinian] state," presumably because a continued political split precludes independence.
