FATAH Major faction in PLO Founded in 1958 Current leader – Mahmoud Abbas Intro Palestinian nationalism Secularism Socialism Idealism Complete liberation of Palestine Eradication of Zionist existence Goals

HAMAS Founded in 1987 by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi and Mohammad Taha Classified as a terrorist organization Intro Palestinian nationalism Islamism Religious nationalism Idealism Creation of worldwide Caliphate Calls for the replacement of Israel and the Palestinian state by an Islamic Palestinian state Goals

HAMAS – FATAH CONFLICT Also called as conflict of brothers, Palestinian civil war Known as Wakseh among Palestinians meaning humiliation, ruin and collapse as a result of self inflicted damage Tensions began in 2005 after the death of Yaseer Arafat and intensified after Hamas winning elections in 2006

INTERNATIONAL STANCE As a result of Hamas winning elections EU, US, and several other Arab countries stopped funding to Palestinians upon which they depended US supplied guns, ammunition and training to Fatah activists to take on Hamas According to Vanity Fair, in 2006 the United States initiated a "covert initiative, approved by Bush and implemented by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Deputy National Security Adviser Elliott Abrams, to provoke a Palestinian civil war."

RISE OF CONFLICT Fatah commanders refused to take orders from the government Fatah initiated assassinations and abductions against Hamas which led Hamas to start their own On December 15 Abbas called for a general election Hamas has characterized this as an attempted Fatah coup by Abbas as they had the right to hold the office

FIRST ROUND OF FIGHTING On December 15, 2006, fighting broke out in the West Bank after Palestinian security forces fired on a Hamas rally in Ramallah which was accused as an attempt to assassinate Ismail Haniya, the Palestinian prime minister. Intense fighting continued throughout December 2006 and January In February 2007, Palestinian rivals met in Mecca, and reached an accord ensuring a ceasefire. However, minor incidents continued through March and April More than 90 people were killed in these first months.

SECOND ROUND OF FIGHTING In mid-May 2007, clashes erupted once again in the streets of Gaza. In less than 20 days, more than 50 Palestinians were killed. Leaders of both parties tried to stop the fighting with dozens of truces, but none of them held for longer. Hamas performed better than Fatah in the second round of fighting. Some attribute this to the discipline and better training of Hamas's fighters.

THIRD ROUND OF FIGHTING Also known as Battle of Gaza Throughout the four days of fighting Hamas had taken control of the main north-south road and the coastal road. The Israeli government closed all check-points on borders of Gaza in response to the violence. During the four days of intense fighting at least 116 people were killed. On June 14, Palestinian President announced the dissolution of the current unity government and the declaration of a state of emergency.

FATAH FORMS THE GOVERNMENT Hamas number are greater in Gaza strip where as Fatah number are greater in West bank. On June 14, Mahmoud Abbas announced the dissolution of the current government and declared the state of emergency He appointed Salam Fayyad as the prime minister and gave him the task of forming new government

Hamas will lose their root strength if they recognize Israel where as Fatah had recognized the Israel They are unable to come to a truce Hamas has been attacking the Fatah activists on the name of spying to Israel

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