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September 5, 2008 11:22:44 PM CDT

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Enemies May Overstate Hamas Split

Posted Nov 10, 07 10:41 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – Reports of strife within the Palestinian faction Hamas are likely exaggerated, the Economist says. The Islamist party may be splitting under the pressure of sanctions, but reports are hard to judge because “few observers are neutral.” There are “sub-leaderships," though. After seizing Gaza in June, for example, Hamas' military wing clearly ran free of PM Ismail Haniyeh’s control.

Some said political chief Khaled Meshal, exiled in Damascus, was calling the shots, but that notion died when Meshal and Haniyeh apologized for threats of a West Bank takeover. Israel and the US have further muddied the waters by portraying Hamas as divided and extremist, the Economist notes—even as Meshal’s backers seek to encourage a Western dialogue.

Source Economist

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Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas talks to reporters after his meeting with Egyptian resident Hosni Mubarak, unseen, in Cairo, Egypt Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007. Under cover of darkness, Egypt...   (Associated Press)
Deposed Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh from Hamas, top center, waves to Islamic Jihad supporters at a rally marking the 12th anniversary of the death of the group's leader Fathi...   (Associated Press)
Deposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, left, and senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar walk after their Ramadan prayers in al-Garbi mosque at Shati refugee camp in Gaza City. Sunday Sept. 16,...   (Associated Press)
Khaled Mashaal, the leader of Hamas holds his glasses during a speech in Damascus, Monday Nov. 5, 2007. Mashaal on Monday dismissed a U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference planned for later this year,...   (Associated Press)
A Palestinian security police officers stand guard next to the Egyptian representation offices during a meeting between Fatah and Hamas leaders, in Gaza City, Saturday, May 19, 2007. On Saturday, the...   (Associated Press)
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Israel  • Hamas  • Palestine  • Islam  • West Bank  • Fatah  • Gaza Strip  • Damascus


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