THE THIRD INTIFADA--AGAINST HAMAS. The Electronic Intifada helpfully defines the term:

"Intifada" is an Arabic word derived from the root nafada, meaning "to shake".

As a verb intifada means "to be shaken, to wake up". As a noun it means "shudder, awakening, uprising", with the implication of "a shaking off" -- referring to the process of shaking off sleep or shaking off the dust from one's feet.

In the context of 37 years of Israeli military occupation (as of 2004), Intifada represents a 'shaking off' of the chains of occupation.

Of course, now that Fatah in Gaza seems to be staging a new Intifada against Hamas, we wait with bated breath to see the new updated definition.

Here is a photo, with caption, from the AP.

A Fatah supporter prepares to throw a stone towards a Hamas security compound during a protest following the Muslim prayers in Gaza City.

The Jerusalem Post is reporting:

Another Fatah official, Fahmi Za'areer, said the protests showed that the Palestinians were fed up with Hamas. "The countdown for bringing the Hamas regime down has begun," he said. "We expect the protests against Hamas to escalate in the coming weeks."

Hamas leaders said they did not rule out the possibility that Fatah members would resort to an "armed struggle" against the Islamist movement.

Could it be that news of attempts by Hamas and Fatah to get back together indicate a greater degree of desperation on the part of Hamas than Fatah?

See also: Hamas Growing Into Role of Heavy

[Hat tip: Hot Air Headlines]

Technorati Tag: Hamas and Fatah.