The chief of Palestinian security has resigned, six weeks after the Islamic militant group Hamas overtook his forces in the Gaza Strip.
The Fatah faction's national security adviser, Mohammed Dahlan, submitted his resignation to President Mahmoud Abbas Thursday.
Palestinian authorities say Mr. Abbas, leader of the Fatah movement, accepted the request.
Dahlan cited health reasons for his decision. But officials say a government committee pushed for Dahlan's dismissal after finding him responsible for Fatah's fall to Hamas in Gaza.
Dahlan had been widely criticized for the defeat.
Hamas seized control of Gaza in mid-June after six days of clashes. More than 100 people died in the fighting. Afterwards, Mr. Abbas dissolved the Hamas-led unity government and created an emergency cabinet based in the West Bank.
The Palestinian president restructured the cabinet in mid-July after a month-long state of emergency.
