When the spokesman of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades — Hamas’ military wing — responded to the exposure of the enormous underground tunnel from Gaza that went all the way to a kindergarten in Israel, he told the whole story: “The [Palestinian] factions are capable of digging many more tunnels,” wrote Abu Obeida. “The determination deep in the hearts and minds of resistance fighters is more important than tunnels dug in the mud.”

Hamas has pledged to uphold the cease-fire after Israel launched Operation Pillar of Defense in the Gaza Strip in November 2012. The leaders of the movement's political and military wings fully realize that violating this commitment will result in serious consequences for Hamas. That is why it also enforces the cease-fire on other Gaza-based organizations that can hardly wait for the chance to act against Israel.

These organizations now level heavy criticism at Hamas, alleging that the movement has lost all its assets. Not only has it not improved the quality of life for the residents of the refugee camps in the Gaza Strip, but it has also relinquished its jihad against Israel so that it can remain in power. In the vernacular of Gaza, there cannot be a more serious accusation.

Since its foundation, but primarily after its victory in the 2006 Palestinian Authority elections, Hamas has worked with all its might to show that it can obliterate the stigma that the PLO had pinned on it, namely that it is unable to represent the Palestinian people. Hamas has dreamed of the day when it can prove to be just as legitimate as the PLO and even more so than Fatah.