Updated

JERUSALEM -- The Gaza Strip's Hamas rulers have said they have blocked what would have been the first shipment of outside newspapers to the seaside territory in three years.

The Israeli military says that it was set to begin allowing 10,000 copies of three Palestinian dailies from the West Bank and Jerusalem into Gaza on Wednesday.

Hamas said on its website Wednesday it had blocked the shipment because it wasn't properly coordinated.

But an official familiar with Hamas' thinking says the group will not allow the newspapers in until the rival President Mahmoud Abbas lets Hamas-linked newspapers into his West Bank stronghold.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to discuss the issue with reporters.

The West Bank has banned Hamas newspapers since 2007.