The Palestinian interior minister quit on Monday in the midst of a sharply deteriorating security situation in the Gaza Strip, prompting officials in the territory to predict worse internal chaos ahead.

Hani Qawasmi attacked both sides in the Hamas-Fatah power-sharing government for hindering his plans to end lawlessness in Gaza. “From the beginning, I faced obstacles that robbed the ministry of its powers and made my position empty without authority,” he said.