Hamas blocks newspapers in Gaza Strip

The Gaza Strip's Hamas rulers say they have blocked what would have been the first shipment of outside newspapers to the territory in three years.

The Israeli military said it was set to begin allowing 10,000 copies of three Palestinian dailies from the West Bank and Jerusalem into Gaza yesterday. Hamas said it had blocked the delivery because it was not properly co-ordinated.

An observer said Hamas will not allow the newspapers in until President Mahmoud Abbas lets Hamas-linked newspapers into his West Bank stronghold.