GAZA CITY [MENL] -- Egypt has taken control of the Palestinian Authority.

PA sources said that over the last few months, Egypt has dominated several key areas of Palestinian government, particularly in the Gaza Strip. They said Egypt approves PA decisions regarding the deployment and training of Palestinian security forces, security operations and policy, development projects and senior appointments.

"They are in every facet of the [Palestinian] Authority in Gaza," a PA source said. "It is correct to say that major decisions are not taken without Egypt's approval."

The sources said Egypt's control over the PA increased significantly in wake of the Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip on Sept. 12. They said Egypt now controls both sides of the 14-kilometer border with the Gaza Strip.