The internal power struggle between the rival Fatah and Hamas movements has added a new dimension to the suffering of the Palestinian people. In addition to the threats to human rights resulting from the Israeli forces’ military control of the territory, Palestinians are now exposed to new abuses resulting from the power struggle between the two rival factions. These worrying trends are surfacing in an environment dominated by violence and impunity in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, an emergency Palestinian Authority Government (PA) enjoys international recognition and pledges of support,while in the Gaza Strip the international community and the United Nations do not recognize the legitimacy of Hamas’ June 2007 military takeover. During that month, the emergency government instructed Gaza-based institutions for administration of justice and law enforcement not to resume functioning. Law and order functions are carried out by the Hamas-affiliated Executive Forces, or Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, outside the framework of the law and in the absence of judicial oversight.