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"When Brothers Fight"


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In January 2006, Hamas won a majority of seats in the Palestinian parliament. The surprise victory of Hamas dealt a significant blow to the Fatah, the early Palestinian militant resistance against Israeli occupation. The power shared between these two opposing forces became an issue which often resulted in violent and deadly clashes. In August 2006, the Israelis completed their military and settlement withdrawal from Gaza, giving Palestinians sovereignty over their own affairs. Instead of this resulting in the unification among the Palestinians, Gazans are pawns in a power struggle between the ruling parties. Fatah, Hamas, and various other small political and militant elements cannot agree on a common domestic approach nor a compromise with regards to Israel. While Gaza continues to be plagued by Israeli military incursions and economic strangleholds, much of the anguish is largely self-inflicted. Tensions are mounting daily and kidnappings of prominent party members occur with great regularity. The awful reality is that the struggle for statehood has torn families apart, often pitting brother against brother in a savage conflict for identity and power. A young Palestinian boy looks back at the camera as others gather around a grave and hold up green flags during a Hamas funeral, 5th January 2007, Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip.
 

 

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