Yearlong peace process between the antagonist Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah, since Hamas’ historic win in Palestinian legislative election in January last year, disappeared with the ominous echo of gunfire pointed towards each other.
Differences in ideology and conflicting vision over the future of Palestine have brought two opposing giants, Hamas and Fatah, in front of each other with naked daggers and lethal arms in their hands.
Gaza City once again witnessed the blood-spattered clash between the hostile groups that at least devoured the lives of 13 people, including two civilians, and several people on both sides were abducted. The civil clash between the two resumed only after the ruling Hamas party accused Fatah with the attempt to murder the Palestinian foreign minister Mahmoud al-Zahar when he narrowly escaped an attack in Gaza City on December 15, 2006. Since then above 40 people have become the victims of the power struggle between adherents of the Hamas-led government and President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah.
Palestine, after Hamas won the 2006 legislative elections, is going through a lean financial patch that easily could lead to a immense humanitarian crisis in the near future, for Israel, the United States, the European Union and the Arab states have refrained themselves from lending any kind of financial support as they previously have labeled Hamas with the terrorist faction. Hamas’ hostile attitude towards Israel and their refusal to recognize the existence of Israel however is the major reason for the desertion of Palestine from the West.
The ongoing conflict and suspension of the peace talks isn’t in anyway going to help the cause in Palestine. However, what makes this present jam so delicate is the flushed condition of the regional environment. Therefore, as long as there is a conflict between the leading groups, it will be very difficult for the Palestinian people to take decisive moves to resolve their political disagreements without suffering the consequences.
Via: BBC
