Hamas vs. Fatah

Submitted by Lars Nielsen (Denmark), Jul 12, 2014 at 03:06

In his comment, Mr. Pipes focuses on Hamas trying to win moral support, but may be, there is also another explanation.

Hamas has recently joined forces with Abbas. This might very well indicate, that some Hamas leaders are on the verge of accepting peace with Israel. Not here, not now, but in the long run. Therefore dissatisfied leaders of Hamas fire rockets into Israel in order to destroy the alliance with Abbas.

Although this means retaliation from Israel, the dissatisfied members have already gained large success internally in Hamas. Because, at this stage, no Hamas leader dare openly do anything to stop the rocket campaign.

The rocket campaign may therefore indicate internal conflict amongst Hamas leaders !

If so, why are Hamas leaders diverted on this issue ?

First of all, Hamas leaders are not idealists. Their aim is to prosper on the population in Gaza. Those in favour of Abbas, want to secure their grip on Gaza through the alliance with Abbas. Those in disfavour are either afraid of Fatah regaining control of Gaza, or they want to increase their own power by overthrowing those in favour of Abbas.

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