The popularity of the Hamas militant group has fallen far behind rival Fatah, according to an opinion poll released on Monday, with Palestinians overwhelmingly opposed to the Islamic group’s tactics in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli Cabinet today approved the release of frozen tax funds to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, officials said, in a step to bolster the moderate Palestinian leader in his stand off against the Islamic militant group Hamas.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing his people on TV today, harshly criticised the Islamic Hamas for attacking "national symbols" during its takeover of Gaza last week.