Gaza, West Bank: Hamas & Fatah
- Sylvia Rose
- Mar 24
- 6 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Hamas and Fatah are the two main political parties of Palestine, with Hamas controlling the Gaza Strip and Fatah governing the West Bank. Conflicts between them exacerbate the trauma of ongoing war with Israel.
The Gaza Strip is a densely populated territory bordering Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea. It has been a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades.
The West Bank is a larger territory surrounded by Israel and Jordan further north. The two major Palestinian political factions, Hamas in Gaza and Fatah in West Bank, have a history of power clashes.
Origins & Ideologies
Fatah
Founded in 1959 by Yasser Arafat, Fatah is a nationalist movement with a secular ideology. Initially it leads the Palestinian struggle for self-realization as the dominant force within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Advocating armed conflict at first, Fatah later reaches a compromise by negotiation with Israel.
First Intifada
The First Intifada (First Uprising) erupts in Dec 1987. It starts in the Jabalia refugee camp. An Israeli truck driver collides with parked civilian vehicles, killing four Palestinian workers, three of whom are from the refugee camp.
Palestinians argue the collision is a deliberate response for the killing of an Israeli in Gaza days earlier, despite denials by Israel. It sparks protests, civil disobedience and violence opposing Israeli presence in Gaza.
Graffiti, barricading, hurling stones and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli army and its infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza Strip contrast with civil efforts. Civil protests include strikes and boycotts.
Civilians refuse to work in Israeli settlements on Israeli products, refuse to pay taxes or drive Palestinian cars with Israeli licenses. This grassroots uprising ignites a renewed sense of Palestinian nationalism.
From this platform emerges Hamas.
Hamas
The Hamas movement was founded by Palestinian Islamic scholar Ahmed Yassin in 1987 shortly after the outbreak of the First Intifada. The group is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Hamas ideology is rooted in Islamic principles. It advocates establishment of an independent Islamic state in all historic Palestine, including present-day Israel.
It rejects negotiation with Israel and maintains armed resistance. Hamas also opposes the PLO's approach. Its charter contrasts sharply with Fatah's vision of two states. Fatah openness to talks with Israel is seen by Hamas as betrayal.
Rise of Tensions & 2006 Election
Israel withdraws from Gaza in 2005. This action is put forward by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The purpose is to improve Israel's security and international status in the absence of peace negotiations with Palestinians.
Following Israel's departure from Gaza, tensions between Hamas and Fatah escalate. In 2006, Hamas wins a surprise victory in the Palestinian legislative elections.
This is largely due to widespread dissatisfaction with Fatah's governance. Accusations include corruption, and failure to make progress in peace negotiations.
2007 Conflict and Split
The election results trigger a power struggle culminating in violent clashes in 2007. Hamas forces seize control of the Gaza Strip, ousting Fatah and establishing its own government.
Fatah, led by Mahmoud Abbas, keeps control of the West Bank. It continues to represent Palestine internationally through the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The impact is profound. Gaza's unemployment rate soars to 40%, exacerbated by Israeli blockade and limited economy.
Fatah's governance in the West Bank is challenged by public frustration over corruption and human rights violations. People demand reform. Over 70% of Palestinians in the West Bank support a unity government.
Control and Governance
Hamas in Gaza
Hamas depends heavily on social services and military strength. Its Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades maintain order and assert control. This approach complicates Hamas's relationships outside Gaza.
Hamas governs through a network of institutions, providing social services, enforcing laws and maintaining security. Its rule has been marked by authoritarianism, restrictions on civil liberties and focus on power buildup against Israel.
Classified as a terrorist organization by countries like the US and Israel, Hamas faces severe sanctions. This causes a further humanitarian crisis with 80% of the population reliant on aid.
Fatah in the West Bank
Fatah's governing body, the Palestinian Authority (PA), has limited self-rule in parts of the West Bank. The PA, financially dependent on international aid, works to maintain security coordination with Israel.
Conflicts & Alliances
Fatah cultivates strong relationships with Western countries and moderate Arab nations, seeking support for a two-state solution. In contrast, Hamas allies with countries like Iran and Turkey in a broader Islamist context, opposing Western influence.
Hamas-Israel Conflicts: Hamas has engaged in multiple armed conflicts with Israel, involving rocket attacks, cross-border incursions, and Israeli military operations in Gaza.
Hamas-Egypt Relations: Relations between Hamas and Egypt fluctuate. While historical ties exist through the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt mediates ceasefires between Hamas and Israel and controls the Rafah border crossing, a crucial lifeline for Gaza.
Hamas-Iran Relations: Hamas receives financial and military support from Iran, which views it as a key ally in its regional strategy. This relationship has been a point of contention with Western powers and Arab states.
Fatah-International Community: Fatah and the PA maintain strong relations with the international community, especially Western countries, who provide financial aid and political support.
The PA is involved in extracting natural gas from Gaza offshore reservoirs, together with the Israeli and Egyptian governments. PA and Israel get a cut of 27.5% each. 45% of the gas goes to Egypt for processing to be sold back to Palestine and other countries.
Reconciliation Attempts
Numerous attempts have been made to reconcile Hamas and Fatah and form a unified Palestinian government. Efforts have repeatedly failed due to deep-seated differences over power-sharing, security arrangements, and the future of negotiations with Israel.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The ongoing division between Hamas and Fatah significantly contributes to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Israeli blockade, imposed after Hamas' takeover, aided by Egypt and strictly reinforced in 2025, limits movement of goods and people.
Gaza suffers shortage of essential supplies, clean water and health care; high unemployment, homes and infrastructures in ruins. The internal Palestinian political division further complicates aid delivery and reconstruction efforts.
As of March 24 2025, reported by Al Jazeera:
"Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza continues, with at least 65 Palestinians killed in attacks across the Gaza Strip over the past 24-hour reporting period.
Two Palestinian journalists have been killed in Israeli air strikes, including a reporter with Al Jazeera Mubasher whose car was blown up in northern Gaza."
Due to the attacks, the United Nations withdraws a third of its aid workers from Gaza for their safety. The UN is a sorely needed humanitarian presence in the Gaza Strip.
On March 25 people in Gaza gather to protest the Hamas presence, blaming the group for attacks on the Palestinians by Israel. The fact that the Israeli attacks are war crimes has no effect. The people are badly traumatized and just want the war to be over.
The US blames Hamas for inciting the attacks and continues to back Israel despite civilian death toll. The attacks by Israel include shooting and bombings of refugees, who are following Israeli instructions to leave the region; airstrikes on refugee camps, hospitals and food lines.
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