News Analysis: Fatah gains popularity in Gaza

GAZA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian observers believe that Hamas movement, which violently seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, is no longer the only super power in the enclave, after unprecedented crowds supporting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Party marked Friday its 48th anniversary.

Hundreds of thousands of Fatah supporters marked Friday the 48th anniversary of their movement, which was found on Jan. 1, 1965. It is the first time that Fatah holds such a huge rally since Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007.

Mekhemer Abu Se'da, a political science professor at al-Azhar University in Gaza city, told Xinhua that "The repressive policy that Hamas had followed against Fatah in the Gaza Strip over the past six years and all Hamas attempts to impose the Islamic laws there have increased Fatah popularity instead of weakening it, and this is clear in today's rally."

"The large popular participation in Fatah rally" would strengthen Fatah's position in achieving the internal reconciliation and ending six years of division between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank," he added.

Giving Fatah a permission to hold its anniversary celebration in Gaza after six years of repression is another significant sign that both Fatah and Hamas are presenting goodwill gestures to each other to end division. Fatah also let Hamas to hold rallies in the West Bank to mark its 25 anniversary in December.

Akram Atallah, a Gaza-based political observer, told Xinhua that the large participation in Fatah rally reflects Palestinians' desire of ending division and improving their living conditions.

"I believe the next step should be implementing the reconciliation agreement and going for democratic elections," said Atallah.

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