Hamas officers in Gaza
Hamas officers in GazaFlash 90

The Middle East is changing in Hamas' favor, a senior member of the group said this week in an interview with the Al-Qassam Brigades website. Hamas terrorist Osama Hamdan said recent rebellions and upheavals in the Arab world played a major role in the reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah.

The changes in the Middle East are leading to a situation in which there will be greater support for Hamas, and for its path of “resistance” in particular, Hamdan said.

He stated that Hamas has no intention of changing its positions – which include the stated goal of eradicating the state of Israel – or of negotiating with Israel.

Hamdan expressed hope that not only would Hamas remain true to its positions, but it would convince Fatah to take a more violent stance as well. The Palestinian Authority under Fatah already believes that there is no point to negotiations, he said, and has made no attempt to persuade Hamas to change its mind regarding peace talks.

The reconciliation between the two groups could lead to increased support among Fatah for the past of “resistance,” he said, using the word “Moqawama,” a word used by Islamist organizations to refer to guerrilla warfare and terrorism.

While Hamdan claimed the reconciliation with Fatah is a sign of his group's growing power, many analysts have stated the opposite, suggesting that Hamas agreed to rejoin Fatah in leading the PA due to fears that its primary source of aid, Syria, is facing trouble. Hamas' popularity has dropped in recent years, particularly among residents of Hamas-run Gaza.