Israel’s “big mistake”, according to Fatah.

A Palestinian Authority official in Ramallah said that Israel made a “big mistake” by ending Operation Cast Lead without overthrowing the Hamas regime in Gaza. He continued by saying that it is bad for all that Hamas is still in power.

Since Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in early summer 2007 there has been a constant fight between the two groups for sovereignty in the Palestinian areas. Both groups have used the Israeli military operation as a shield for their own activities.
Fatah has arrested and tortured hundreds of Hamas followers in the West Bank. Palestinians from the Fatah controlled areas said that they were not allowed to demonstrate against the war in Gaza unless they would carry Fatah flags and sing Fatah slogans.
Yasser Abed Rabbo said that Fatah will not allow Islamists to destroy their national project. He accused Hamas of trying to establish an “emirate of darkness” in the Gaza Strip. He also said that Hamas is using the sufferings of the civilians in Gaza to cover up for their plan to split the Palestinian territories. He claims Hamas has turned hospitals, schools and universities in the Gaza Strip into temporary centers for holding and torturing Fatah members on suspicion of collaboration with Israel.

Hamas has been busy declaring their “victory” since Israel decided on a one sided Cease Fire. The one to withdraw is always considered weak and to be the looser in this part of the world.
Both local and the Damascus based Hamas leadership have turned down all reconciliation talks with Fatah and are urging world leaders to give their donations to “the legitimate authority in Gaza” and not to the hands of “the corrupt”.

Some say the future will be exactly like the past only more expensive.

Elin Elkouby.