Hamas and its Role in Gaza

Islamic Resistance Movement or Government in the Gaza Strip?

Dec 31, 2008

After a shaky six-month ceasefire between Israel and Hamas controlled Gaza, hostilities have restarted following rocket attacks by Hamas on Israeli towns.

While many understand the history of Israel, what is Hamas, – in Arabic Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya – Islamic Resistance Movement, and its role in Gaza?

Intefadeh

In 1987, Palestinians in the occupied territories of Gaza Strip and the West Bank began a series of violent anti-Israeli riots, which became known as the Intefadeh (uprising).

Hamas

From these protests grew Hamas, a religious group, originally part of the radical Muslim Brotherhood founded in Egypt. Led by the late Sheik Ahmad Yasinat a wheelchair bound Muslim cleric the organisation developed independently from the ruling Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and its secular Fatah party created by Yasser Arafat.

It does not recognise the right of the state of Israel to exist and regards terrorism, including suicide bombing, as a justifiable means of resistance. Consequently the European Union, United States, Israel and others list it as a terrorist organisation.

Palestine Authority Elections

During the 2006 Palestinian Authority elections it won a surprising victory over the ruling Fatah party thanks mainly to popularity gained because of its social and welfare programmes carried out in schools, orphanages and healthcare clinics. Many observers however viewed these activities as a propaganda and recruitment exercise.

It seemed unlikely that Hamas could ever work in any constructive way with Fatah, after Arafat, on behalf of all Palestinians, signed the 1993 Oslo Peace Accord recognising the right of Israel to exist. For Hamas that signature was an act of treachery.

So there was little surprise when the following year hundreds died as mistrust and political hatred again turned to violence in Gaza with bitter fighting between Hamas militants and the resident Fatah controlled police and security forces.

President Mahmoud Abbas

With Arab states mediating, a compromise was reached resulting in a Unity Government which was formed on 17 March 2007 and sworn in by Palestine Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas with Ismail Haniya the Hamas appointed Prime Minister. Unsurprisingly Israel refused to deal with the new government.

Within weeks the new administration disintegrated and Hamas and Fatah fighters were again fighting in Gaza. On 14 June President Abbas dissolved the government and with other members of Fatah left Gaza for the relative safety of Ramallah in the West Bank.

Fatah in Control in West Bank

It now meant the Palestinian Authority was divided, with Fatah in control in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza.

The division had an immediate disastrous political, social and economic effect on Hamas and the people of Gaza, with the European Union, United States and other financial donors withdrawing support. This together with other sanctions and restrictions put in place by Israel meant that conditions for the citizens of Gaza became desperate.

It also brought an unaccustomed role for Hamas forcing it to change from resistance movement to a government overseeing a collapsed economy and increasing internal dissent. It was not a position that it adjusted to easily.

Al Quds Newspaper

Abdel Bari Atwan respected editor in chief of Al Quds newspaper said: “Hamas was supported because of its guerrilla operations against the Israeli… not because of their skills as administrators or rulers or governors.

“If Hamas does not go back to resistance to regain its image and reputation as a guerrilla movement I think their support will shrink dramatically.”

The copyright of the article Hamas and its Role in Gaza in Middle Eastern History is owned by Neil Gunn. Permission to republish Hamas and its Role in Gaza in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.