Hamas reportedly takes gas from cabbies

GAZA, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Taxi drivers in Gaza complain that the Hamas government has been confiscating their gas tanks to get cooking fuel for Ramadan.

"Hamas police stopped me and confiscated my gas tank," one driver told the Israeli news agency Ynetnews.com. "They told me the gas is required for Ramadan now."

The driver said he would be unable to buy food if he could not make a living.

During the holy month, which begins in about two weeks, Muslims fast during the day and eat celebratory meals after sunset.

Ynetnews reported Friday that Hamas appeared to have stopped taking gas from cab drivers, apparently realizing the anger it was causing. The news service said it has learned that the government has been taxing the paychecks of its employees to help the many unemployed.