Fatah–Hamas conflict

The Fatah–Hamas conflict is an ongoing inter-Palestinian militant conflict between Fatah, based in the West Bank, and Hamas, based in the Gaza Strip. The conflict began after the Second Intifada because Fatah disputed Hamas winning 2006 elections in the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). It grew further when Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip by military force in 2007 during the Battle of Gaza. The two groups have been trying to reconcile in recent years and have since found themselves somewhat on the same side in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.^{[lower-alpha 1]}

Fatah–Hamas conflict
Part of Palestinian political violence
Map of the Gaza Strip
Date 25 January 2006 – present (main phase in 2007) Location State of Palestine mainly Gaza Strip Status Ongoing, Reconciliation process: Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip New Palestinian government in the West Bank, appointed by Mahmoud Abbas Reconciliation agreement signed May 2011 Doha agreement signed 2012 Renewed political crisis in March–April 2012[1] Strong increase of tensions in 2013[2][3][4] Hamas and Fatah sign reconciliation deal in April 2014[5] Unity government sworn in during June 2014[6] Implementation of unity government control in Gaza due date
Belligerents
Hamas	Fatah Supported by:  United States[7][8][9] (alleged)  United Kingdom[10] (covert)
Commanders and leaders
Ismail Haniyeh Khaled Mashal Mohammed Deif	Mahmoud Abbas Mohammed Dahlan
Strength
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades: 15,000 Executive Police Force: 6,000[11][12]	National Security: 30,000 Preventive Security Service: 30,000 General Intelligence: 5,000 Presidential Guard: 4,200 Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade: Several thousand[11][12]
Casualties and losses
83 killed	165 killed
98 civilians killed 1,000+ wounded on both sides[13] Total: 350 to over 600 killed[13][needs update]

Notes

1. Some cells of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, the detached armed wing of Fatah, have sided with Hamas against Israel in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war. However, this does not represent Fatah's official public position as a political party.

References

1. "In Gaza, power cuts and rumors hamper reconciliation". English.alarabiya.net. 1 April 2012. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012.
2. "Egypt crisis brings Fatah, Hamas tensions to new high" Archived September 15, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Jerusalem Post, 14 July 2013
3. "Anti-Hamas Tamarod group denies involvement with Israel, US" Archived September 15, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Jerusalem Post, 2 September 2013
4. "What reconciliation? Hamas, Fatah trade blows" Archived September 16, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Al Jazeera, 14 September 2013
5. "Hamas and Fatah unveil Palestinian reconciliation deal". BBC News. April 23, 2014. Archived from the original on July 18, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
6. "Palestinian unity government sworn in by Mahmoud Abbas". BBC. June 2, 2014. Archived from the original on June 3, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
7. Rose, David (March 3, 2008). "The Gaza Bombshell". vanityfair.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018.
8. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
9. "MIDEAST: This 'Bombshell' Took a Year Falling - Inter Press Service". www.ipsnews.net. April 2, 2008. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
10. Crooke, Alastair. "Blair's counter-insurgency "surge"". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018.
11. Shaked, Ronny (February 3, 2007). "Religious war in Gaza". Ynet. Archived from the original on December 24, 2014.
12. Henry Chu (17 May 2007). "Factional fighting in Gaza imperils unity government". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 1 February 2010. Article reprinted at Archived September 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
13. "Over 600 Palestinians killed in internal clashes since 2006". Ynetnews. Ynetnews.com. June 20, 1995. Archived from the original on July 4, 2011. Retrieved April 24, 2011.

Related pages

• Gaza–Israel conflict
• Israel–Palestine conflict
• Palestinian political violence