Key Facts
- Palestinians killed (Jan 2006–May 2007)
- Over 600
- Hamas Gaza takeover
- June 2007
- Conflict status
- Frozen conflict (unresolved)
- Parties involved
- Fatah and Hamas
Strategic Narrative Overview
Armed clashes between Fatah security forces and Hamas militias escalated throughout 2006 and into 2007, with both sides conducting attacks, ambushes, and targeted killings. Despite several short-lived ceasefires and the Mecca Agreement of February 2007, which briefly established a unity government, fighting continued to intensify in Gaza. Street battles and executions became increasingly common, reflecting a breakdown of any shared governing framework between the two factions.
01 / The Origins
The conflict emerged from deep ideological and strategic rivalry between Fatah, the secular nationalist movement historically dominant in the Palestine Liberation Organization, and Hamas, the Islamist movement that won the January 2006 Palestinian legislative elections. The unexpected Hamas electoral victory destabilized the Palestinian Authority power structure, triggering a struggle over control of Palestinian institutions, security forces, and governance in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
03 / The Outcome
In June 2007, Hamas launched a decisive military offensive in Gaza, routing Fatah forces and seizing complete control of the territory within days. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas dissolved the unity government and declared a state of emergency, leaving Fatah in control of the West Bank and Hamas governing Gaza. This territorial split hardened into a frozen conflict, with reconciliation efforts repeatedly failing in subsequent years.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Ismail Haniyeh.
Side B
1 belligerent
Mahmoud Abbas, Mohammed Dahlan.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.