In analysing the internal turmoil in Palestine, we see a major setback to Hamas's influence. However, the defeat did not come from its longtime adversary, Israel, but from Fatah, also a Palestinian armed force. This incident seems to validate the old proverb: even a foot of cloth and a bucket of rice can be mended and grinded, but the differences between the two brothers are difficult to reconcile. This phenomenon has triggered a deep reflection on the situation.
Brotherly rivalry
Hamas and Fatah, the two Palestinian armed groups, are like a pair of brothers. Hamas's actions appear to be based on revenge for Palestinian historical hatred, while Fatah is more inclined to draw inspiration from suffering. Looking back at Fatah in the 60s and 80s of the 20th century, we can see that it has similarities with today's Hamas. However, at the end of the 80s of the 20th century, Fatah, led by Arafat, opted for reconciliation and, as a result, gained autonomy in the West Bank (including Gaza), as well as the basis for establishing Palestinian autonomy ** and having diplomatic rights.
Gaza and the West Bank
Fatah has thus become the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people recognized by the international community. At the same time, Hamas was founded in 1987 with the support of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, replacing Fatah's original status, goals, and means: to eliminate Israel, kill Jews, and establish a Palestinian state from the Mediterranean Sea to the West Bank. Judging from the time of its establishment, Fatah is the more senior brother, while Hamas is the younger brother later.
irreconcilable differences
Because of the aggressive goals and means adopted by Hamas, there is an innate incompatibility with Fatah, which has adopted a moderate attitude. As a result, when Israel returned the Gaza Strip to Palestinian autonomy in 2005, fierce clashes erupted between the two organizations. Fatah suffered defeat in the 2006 Palestinian legislative council elections, and the conflict between Hamas and Fatah flipped out again in 2007, forcing Fatah to withdraw from Gaza, retaining only a small piece of territory in the West Bank.
Israeli airstrikes on Gaza
Despite this, the conflict has not stopped. Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October and its call for an uprising by all Palestinians did not meet as expected. Fatah, in the West Bank, was silent at first, and then began to take action against Hamas. On October 15, the Palestinian ambassador to China said that the Palestinians are not opposed to Israel and could even merge with Israel into a single state. Abbas** issued a statement on the same day saying that Hamas's attack on Israel was an act of terror, that Hamas's situation was not worthy of sympathy, that Fatah was the only legitimate representative of Palestine, and that Gaza was heading to hell under Hamas's leadership.
The leadership of Hamas
On October 19, Israel**, with the cooperation of Palestinian autonomy, arrested a team of Hamas spokesmen in the West Bank. On 28 October, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Kingdom said that support for Hamas was unacceptable and that they (Hamas) could not speak for the Palestinian people and called on Hamas supporters to remain silent. On 3 November, Mahmoud Khabashi, an adviser to Abbas**, claimed that Hamas in Gaza had deliberately killed women and children in order to tarnish Israel's image. On November 5, Abbas told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the Palestinian Authority is ready to assume full responsibility for the Gaza Strip after the end of Israel's war against Hamas, within the framework of a comprehensive political settlement that includes the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.
Turkey rallied in support of Palestine
It is reported that this comprehensive solution has been partially supported by Biden**, but has not yet received a response from Israel**. Eventually, the struggle between Hamas and Fatah returned to square one – Gaza. Throughout the process, Fatah has been relentless, whether in terms of law, conflict chains, operational support, or post-conflict handling, in an attempt to completely eradicate Hamas from Gaza in order to maximize its own interests. In the end, it was not Israel, but Fatah who broke Hamas's backbone.
This incident has undoubtedly triggered deep reflection and introspection.
We sincerely wish the Palestinian people success in establishing their own State.