Dark clouds once again hover over the peace process in the Middle East as faction clashes between Hamas and Fatah in Palestine, with the participation of Israel, kept people inside their homes on the fourth day in the Gaza Strip.

The inter-factional violence between Fatah and Hamas groups, which dropped for a couple of months, has once again reared its head as the political stalemate over the control of power between the two continues.

Palestine has gone through an unprecedented and ominous deterioration in the internal security situation in the past few days. At least 40 people have been killed and about 114 wounded in gun battles after violence broke out on Sunday, making it the nastiest violence since the two factions formed a unity government in March.

Palestinians are facing the prospect of a civil war and the death of the age-old vision of an independent Palestinian state.

Currently Palestinians are not just going through a relentless and brutal occupation, but an economic restriction imposed by Western countries, after Hamas in a democratic election came to power, which has pushed the breaking nation on the verge of desolation. Moreover, qualms for the worried Palestinians don’t appear to end here.

The situation appears too grave this time in Palestine, as Israel threatens to take a serious stance to curb any volatile action against them. Miri Eisin, a spokeswoman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, before the air strike on Hamas’ building, asserted,

We have had enough. Israel will take all defensive measures to protect our citizens from these Hamas rockets.

It would be hard to blame one or the other group for the ongoing violence. The Fatah and the Hamas are entirely opposed to each other not only in terms of social ideology but political also. While the former is a more moderate group and the other is an extremist who doesn’t even recognize the existences of Israel. With such vast differences, friction or opposition among the two it is inevitable.

Problems that lie ahead

• The widening hostilities could easily collapse the two-month-old unity government formed between Hamas and Fatah, leading to all-out civil war and the end of the Palestinian Authority.
• President Abbas’s resignation would mar the ties between Palestinians and the West, which has regularly refused to deal with the Hamas group.
• The growing violence between the two also indicates the armed supporters on the ground may no longer be paying attention to orders from their political leadership.
• Such a situation would strip the occupied territories of official Palestinian rule. Israel, as the occupying power, would then resume full control of the West Bank and Gaza.
• End of the Palestinian Authority would possibly lead to a Jordanian custodial rule in the West Bank and a similar arrangement for Egypt in Gaza.

Is there any solution?

In the present circumstances, it is very difficult to stick to a resolution or another, than returning to the negotiating table, as no permanent solution can be imposed by force. Palestinians will have to find their own formula for stepping back from the brink through open headed talks, be it domestic or at international front.

It is also important that the international community put into effect all necessary means to assure the protection of the Palestinian people and to help Fatah and Hamas to take up the path of conversation again.

Internal fighting is only adding to the many problems of the Palestinians and diverting them farther away from their goals. Now, it is a test for the Palestinian leadership as well as people to prove their worth, and thus keep Israel at the bay.