Internal strife within Hamas - the internationally outlawed terrorist organization that took over the Palestinian Authority following elections earlier this year - has never been more intense. Hamas leaders in Gaza have all but agreed to form a unity government with Fatah, its older and externally more moderate sister, but the Damascus-based leadership doesn't like the idea at all. Ismail Haniya, who serves as the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, and Fatah chief Mahmoud Abbas, the PA chairman also known as Abu Mazen, are close to agreeing on the terms of a unity government between them. Currently, Hamas's exclusive control of the government precludes international aid from reaching the PA, and the idea is to bring a semblance of "moderation" that will restore world recognition. Khaled Mashal, the Hamas leader in Damascus whom Israel tried unsuccessfully to kill nine years ago, says such a government will be established only over his colleague Haniye's dead body. He sent a message to Gaza saying that if Haniya dares to sign a unity agreement with Fatah that does not include clauses guaranteeing the so-called Right of Return and the continued use of terrorism, Haniya "will find his body tossed in a ditch on the side of the road."
Hamas-Fatah unity thus appears more distant than ever - and this is thanks to Khaled Mashal, Jerusalem officials feel. Hamas spokesman Razi Hamed acknowledged yesterday that the negotiations had been temporarily frozen, though he said this would not affect the long-term chances of forming a unity government.
Another obstacle placed before a unity government has come from the other side of the political spectrum - U.S. President George Bush. Bush announced Monday night that he would not recognize the PA government if its guidelines do not include the Quartet's three conditions: recognition of Israel, fulfillment of previous agreements with Israel, and an end to terrorism. The past few day have seen the circulation of several rough copies of an agreement under consideration by Haniye and Abbas. Jerusalem intelligence reveals that the most accurate version, the one agreed upon most recently, was never shown to the U.S. by the PA negotiators. Instead, the Arabs showed the Americans a copy stating that the government will accept the Saudi peace plan of 2002 and the Prisoners' Document, but with the following critical caveat deleted: "As long as this does not clash with Palestinian interests." 
Huberman reports in the name of Jerusalem sources that the inclusion of this sentence essentially voids any Hamas consent to enter a diplomatic process with Israel. PA sources say the negotiations have not yet been finalized, and that there is therefore no final rough copy of the agreement. Hamed said, "There is a strong desire of the various Palestinian factions and groups to reach a national unity government... Hamas will not renege on any declaration it has made before now." He acknowledged that there were some issues not yet finalized in the unity negotiations.Yesterday, Haniye found himself under attack by dozens of angry men in Gaza. They barely allowed him and his car to enter the Gaza government complex, complaining that they had not been paid in months. Several protestors required medical treatment.