Gaza: When Hamas shifted its political base from Damascus to Doha, its leaders were quick to dismiss talk that it was related to the current unrest in Syria.
However, observers say the move is linked to the current turmoil in Syria. "Since Hamas considers itself a liberation movement, it found itself in a compromising situation since they wouldn't be able to support the protesters in their will for freedom and liberation," Shaker Shabat, political analyst said.
Also, the situation in Syria was a factor in the reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been pushing for reconciliation with Hamas since 2007.
Hamas was basically asked to endorse the Syrian regime or leave, according to Shabat.
Syria was typically involved in all the reconciliation talks between Fatah and Hamas, however, this time they were not.
