Escalating violence in the Gaza Strip, especially the massive air strikes by Israel on the inhabitants there, is becoming the fulfillment of Israel’s strategy to derail the Palestinian unity government, headed by Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah. President Mahmoud Abbas, in a speech delivered July 9 in Ramallah, stated, “This war is not against Hamas or any faction, but it is against the Palestinian people.” It is also against the Palestinian government. This government, thus far, has failed to develop the unified strategy for Palestinian resistance needed at this juncture, but Abbas’ statement expresses the Palestinians’ continued commitment to Hamdallah’s government.
The Palestinians should make clear that the unified leadership is the manifestation of a united leadership of resistance. The violence in Gaza should expedite a strategic guide to serve as an anchor and pivotal policy for legitimate resistance, about which the leadership has so far not been clear or even coherent.
