According to Haaretz, it appears that "Hamas lost the war for Palestinian public opinion, something that Israel can identify with":
At the end of "Black Sunday," as the day of clashes between Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip was described in the Palestinian media, Hamas succumbed to public opinion and withdrew its gunmen first, even though they may have scored greater victories against Fatah fighters.
...Hamas wanted a confrontation for two reasons. First, it wanted to send a message that the Hamas-controlled government would no longer accept unruliness on the part of the security forces in the Gaza Strip, which undermined its government and created the impression that Hamas has lost its power. Second, it was a way of pressuring Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to resume negotiations for a government of national unity - because if the Hamas government falls, there will be a bloodbath in the Gaza Strip.
Gee, this sounds familiar:
The Hamas victory on the tactical battlefield came at a public - but also a military - price, which is in Fatah's favor in the West Bank. A few hours after the outbreak of fighting, the prime minister's offices in Ramallah, as well as Hamas offices throughout the West Bank were set ablaze; Hamas officials were shot at and beaten. Fatah's supremacy in the West Bank proved to be overwhelming.
...On the public front, Hamas emerged the greater loser. As Palestinians finished their meals after a day of Ramadan fast, they turned on their televisions and saw scenes that reminded them of 1996 and clashes between armed Palestinian security officers and unarmed protesters. Except this time it was Hamas gunmen attacking unarmed protesters, killing a few bystanders, including a 15-year-old. Recognizing the negative impact of his order to confront the Fatah demonstrators, Interior Minister Saeed Seyam ordered Hamas fighters off the streets.
The idea was that by being elected, Hamas would learn to act as a responsible government and not as a bunch of terrorists.
Who knew how successful the lesson would be.
Crossposted at Israpundit
Technorati Tag: Israel and Hamas and Fatah.
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