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Enemies May Overstate Hamas Split

It's a muddle of 'sub-leaderships,' says Economist

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 10, 2007 10:41 AM CST

(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.

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 allowed dozens of stranded Palestinians to return to the Gaza Strip early Sunday in a rare sign of cooperation between Egypt...
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)
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 rival groups Fatah and Hamas reached a new cease-fire deal, pledging to pull fighters off the streets and exchange...
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)
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 Shekaki,  in Beit Lahiya northern Gaza Strip, Friday, Oct. 26, 2007.  Shekaki was shot and killed in a shooting...
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, 2007. Since Hamas' takeover in Gaza, violence has largely been contained to the roiling coastal strip _ where Israeli...
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, saying it was meant to distract the region as Washington prepared for an attack against Iran....
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)
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