Hamas Plans Bid for Greater Power – Avi Issacharoff
(dailyalert.org, Apr. 29,2014)

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri announced Sunday that the Hamas prime minister in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, and his government are prepared to resign as soon as a new Palestinian unity government is established. After serving as prime minister for eight years, Haniyeh and Hamas are ready to give up the government in the short term for the sake of ruling the West Bank and Gaza in the long run.

In the last few days, Hamas’ motives have become clearer. It is a sophisticated strategic move designed to win over Palestinian public opinion in order to eventually win the parliamentary and presidential elections and gain overall Palestinian primacy. In the background, the harsh reality in Gaza, and especially Hamas’ faltering relations with Egypt, have raised grave fears that if it does not give in willingly now, it might collapse financially or be ousted by its public. (Times of Israel)