Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday signed a decree appointing Amin Qandil as the new director general of the Border and Crossings Authority, replacing Nazmi Mahana, who is under investigation for allegedly smuggling antiquities from within the PA.

In a separate case, the Palestinian government suspended Transport and Communications Minister Tarek Zarab from his duties, following an investigation by the General Prosecutor's Office into suspected financial embezzlement. 

The latest incidents add to growing criticism over the rampant corruption within the Palestinian Authority’s institutions.