The idea that the key to Palestinian success in reaching an independent state lies in national unity is gaining traction in parts of the Palestinian world.
The two biggest Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, have despised each other ever since Hamas violently took over the Gaza Strip following the electoral success of its supporters in legislative elections in 2006.
Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel has done little to bring the parties closer. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blames Hamas for subjecting the Palestinian people to such a huge risk — which has cost tens of thousands of lives and destroyed homes and infrastructure — without consulting other factions.
Abbas has taken a starkly different approach to Hamas, denouncing armed attacks. "I am with peaceful resistance. I am for negotiations based on an international peace conference and under international auspices that would lead to a solution that will be protected by world powers to establish a sovereign Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem,” he told Reuters on Friday.
