The Gulf Times
When Abbas first came into power, I questioned over and over whether he could control the terrorists within his own borders. Hamas has been the unspoken rulers of Palestine for a long time. And just as Iraqis must find the way to defeat the thug mentality committing atrocities to facilitate their failure of democracy, Abbas must also take bold steps to nullify the power of Hamas over the PA in the wake of Arafat.
What I must admit is an utter surprise at the resilience of Abbas - himself with a questionable past. Never would I believe Abbas would actually use military force against Hamas. But for the past week, I've been watching the three way fight... with both Israeli AND Palestinian forces firing on the homegrown terrorist group.
But the fighting words have now been spoken, and the PA/Hamas truce is unraveling. Hamas, who never supported a Palestinian state nor any brokered peace with Israel, now has two enemies which which to contend, and perhaps taxing their resources.
Palestinian analyst Hani al-Masri said recent developments have exposed the “power struggle between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority”, in which resistance against the Israeli occupation has become a battleground.
Responsible for most anti-Israeli attacks during the nearly five-year uprising, Hamas has been at loggerheads with the Palestinian Authority since this month shunning an offer to join a national unity government.
Not only did Hamas shut the door on joining the government but the movement also made clear it would resist any attempt by Abbas to disarm it.
The faction was furious with Abbas for apparently refusing to involve Hamas in preparations for next month’s Israeli pullout from Gaza and for delaying parliamentary elections scheduled for July.
“Confrontation is unavoidable,” said one senior security official on condition of anonymity.
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