Gaza conflicts escalate after Hamas's overwhelming electoral triumph, pitting Hamas against Fatah.

Unraveling the Gaza Power Struggle: Hamas versus Fatah

The Time: June 14, 2007

The Location: Gaza

The Showdown

Hamas's shocking victory in the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary election left a bitter taste in various circles, most notably in Washington. The US response was swift and calculated, initiating a clandestine operation, spearheaded by the US State Department, to oust the Islamist party labeling it a "terrorist group."

Documents unveiled later revealed a covert scheme endorsed by then-President George W Bush and implemented by Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State, and Elliott Abrams, Deputy National Security Adviser, to incite a Palestinian civil war.

Post-election, Abrams met with a handful of Palestinian businessmen in Washington and exhorted the need for a "hard coup" against Hamas. The Palestinians present recalled Abrams' resilience in his aim to topple Hamas, dismissing their apprehensions of societal harm, stating it wouldn't be America's fault.

Faced with Hamas's overtures for a unity government with Fatah, attempts to gain recognition, and engagement with friendly nations, the US intervened. Rice thwarted Hamas's efforts with a letter to US embassies worldwide urging their host countries to shun the newly elected Palestinian party.

Rising Tensions

Without rest, the friction between Fatah and Hamas escalated throughout the autumn, with accusations of atrocities on both sides, leaving non-combatant casualties in their wake. In an effort to end the bloodshed and reconcile the factions, a meeting was held in Makkah in February 2007, resulting in the formation of a unity government, later known as the Mecca Agreement.

The Aftermath

The US viewed the Mecca Agreement as a setback. With no interest in easing tensions, the Neo-Conservative American administration remained steadfast in its determination to deny Hamas any legitimacy. After the unity government was formed and approved, the US and several EU countries acted to isolate and undermine it, blocking any development aid, citing the new government's unwillingness to recognize Israel and commitment to armed resistance.

To further destabilize the new government, the US State Department prepared a coup blueprint, titling it "An Action Plan for the Palestinian Presidency - 2007." The plan detailed objectives, steps, and timelines to bolster the PA and its President, while also including the transformation of the Palestinian security forces and a budget of $1.27 billion.

Arms and ammunition were secretly sent to Fatah fighters via Egypt and Jordan, under the guise of assisting the PA in fulfilling its Road Map commitments to dismantle terrorism infrastructure and establish law and order. The US unleashed a new Palestinian security plan, giving more power to Muhammad Dahlan, who was referred to as "our man" in Gaza.

The objective of the plan, code-named "Plan B," was to bolster Abbas's and his supporters' power, reach a defined end-game by the end of 2007, and produce a government acknowledging Quartet principles. However, the plan was exposed in April 2007 when a portion of an early draft was leaked to a Jordanian newspaper, Al-Majd. The exposed plan was seen by Hamas as a US-backed Fatah coup plot.

By June, tensions in Gaza reached a boiling point, leading to a five-day confrontation between Hamas and Fatah forces. Hamas emerged triumphant, taking control of Gaza, and expelling Fatah. In response, Israel imposed a total blockade on Gaza, further straining the region's stability.

The article's views are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the attitudes of our website.

In the Shadows:

The US-backed effort to overthrow Hamas in Gaza in 2007 signified the deep internal divide between Hamas and Fatah following Hamas's victory in the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections. This period was marked by international opposition, especially from the US, the European Union, and Israel, who viewed Hamas as a terrorist organization.

The Background:

The international community, led by the US, imposed economic sanctions on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to weaken Hamas's ability to govern and pressure it to reassess its political stances. This effort was not enough to deter Hamas and, ultimately, led to the internal conflict between the two Palestinian factions.

The Conflict:

The conflict between Hamas and Fatah culminated in a violent showdown in Gaza in June 2007. Hamas successfully ousted Fatah, establishing full control over Gaza, while Fatah maintained its grip on the West Bank. The Gaza Strip subsequently experienced a prolonged political disconnection with the West Bank.

The United States' Role:

The US openly supported Fatah during this period, even going so far as to discuss the possibility of a Fatah-led coup against Hamas. Despite this support, Hamas managed to seize control of Gaza. The US's primary focus was on enhancing Fatah's security forces, believing that a stronger Fatah could counter Hamas's influence in the region.

The failure to dislodge Hamas from Gaza only solidified the division between Gaza and the West Bank and further complicated the Middle East peace process. The international sanctions and embargoes also increased the hardship in Gaza, adding another layer of complexity to the already tumultuous situation.

The Prime Minister of Hamas, following the organisation's victory in the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary election, faced opposition, notably from Washington, labeling it a terrorist group.
The thwarted efforts of Hamas for a unity government with Fatah in the parliament sparked a US intervention, urging host countries to shun the elected party.
In response to the Mecca Agreement, the US and EU countries acted to isolate and undermine the new Palestinian government, blocking development aid over its refusal to recognize Israel and commitment to armed resistance.
A US-backed coup blueprint, titled "An Action Plan for the Palestinian Presidency - 2007," was prepared, aiming to bolster the Palestinian Authority (PA) and its President, while also transforming the Palestinian security forces.
Arms and ammunition were secretly sent to Fatah fighters via Egypt and Jordan, under the guise of assisting the PA in fulfilling its Road Map commitments.
Israel's imposition of a total blockade on Gaza following the power struggle further strained the region's stability.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and other Arab states, concerned about the stability of the Middle East, released reports corroborating the offer of a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, amid the war-and-conflicts that marked the region.
President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, facing mounting tension and pressure, continued to engage in diplomatic efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution, while Hamas prepared for potential violence and military action.
Palestine, ravaged by war and tension, became a focus of general news and crime-and-justice articles, as the UN and several international organizations called for an end to the devastating attack on civilians in Gaza.
The political crisis in Palestine, characterized by policy-and-legislation debates and the increasing tension between Hamas and Fatah, lingered as a pivotal point in Middle East politics, impacting domestic affairs and regional alliances.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, concerned about the escalating violence and internal divisions, issued official statements urging both parties to work towards reconciliation and deescalation for the greater good of the Middle East region.
Amid the power struggle, the preservation of democracy and the establishment of sustainable peace remained key issues for discussion in the local parliament and the international community.
News outlets around the world covered the war-and-conflicts between Hamas and Fatah, highlighting the devastating consequences of the attack on civilians and the need for diplomatic intervention and a durable peace agreement.
As the politics of Palestine shifted towards renewed fights for power, the general public in Palestine, Israel, and the wider Middle East remained caught in the crossfire, with crime-and-justice issues intensifying as a result of the conflict.
Despite the entrenched division between Hamas and Fatah in Gaza and the West Bank, the international community continued its efforts to broker a peace agreement, viewing it as essential to achieving a lasting resolution and promoting stability in the Middle East.