LONDON -- The recent fighting in the Gaza Strip, which left many people dead, confirms that the internal strife plaguing the occupied territories since Hamas took power in January 2006 was not entirely the outcome of outside meddling in Palestinian affairs. It is also a violent expression of the already existing weaknesses and disunity that has sadly defined the Palestinian political milieu for generations.
The fighting intensified between Hamas and Fatah on Jan. 25 and then reached unprecedented levels over a period of five days when 31 Palestinians -- including a toddler -- were murdered. The death toll since December has now exceeded 60.
It was on Jan. 25 a year ago that Hamas was elected to power in a landslide victory. Hamas' absolute majority in the legislature allowed it to solely form and confirm a government. But since that critical date the U.S. and Israel have initiated a campaign of economic boycott and military coercion that has cost hundreds of Palestinian lives and has almost completely crippled the already traumatized Palestinian economy.