The London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported from Hamas sources about an economic crisis the organization is experiencing following the fighting in Gaza Strip. Hamas sources confirmed to the newspaper that the organization has never experienced such conditions before, reporting that Hamas is having difficulty paying salaries to its employees and operatives. The sources noted that for four months, government employees in Gaza received only 900 shekels - an amount that they say sparked anger. Additionally, the sources reported that there is a management 'vacuum' in Gaza's government, and Hamas is struggling to fill it due to Israeli strikes in the Strip.