The high numbers that attended Fatah’s 48th anniversary rally in Gaza earlier this month stunned not only its rival Hamas, but also the Fatah leadership itself in the West Bank. It was Fatah’s first rally in the Gaza Strip since Hamas took power in the enclave in 2007.

Fatah's rally came less than a month after Hamas’ rally marking its 25th anniversary of Hamas, which was also held for the first time in a number of West Bank cities as a gesture by the Palestinian Authority toward reconciliation.

The anniversary was also judged as a referendum on Fatah’s popularity in Gaza, while others analyzed the turnout in relation to Hamas’ own popularity in the territory it rules. The rally has shown that Hamas cannot claim to be the only popular force in the coastal strip.

"Hamas's failure to provide a decent life for Palestinians after nearly six years in power in the Gaza Strip made people feel it was time for change. They wanted to deliver a message to Hamas that their rule in Gaza is not guaranteed and that they are tired of slogans when it comes to solving problems and removing obstacles,” Yehya Rabah, a senior Fatah leader in the Gaza Strip, told Al-Monitor.