"This is a real coup against the democratically elected government, " senior Hamas lawmaker Mushir al-Masri said.

"Our priority is to form a national unity government. It is the only solution. We reject anything which complicates the Palestinian situation, " Wasfi Kabha, minister of prisoners affairs, said.

Abbas vowed there would be no civil war in the Palestinian territories despite an upsurge in internal violence.

"Palestinian blood remains prohibited. We are not going to allow us to be dragged into a civil war, " Abbas said.