Fatah and Hamas at daggers drawn

The Arab world is surely feeling disgusted at the scene of the Gaza fighting: Kidnappings, on the spot executions, hospital raids and blowing up homes - and it is not initiated by the Israeli occupation.

The fighting is between the brothers - Hamas and Fatah, the two biggest movements in Palestine. The two rival movements crossed the line. For the first time in the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, Palestinian blood is being spilt in the occupied land by the Palestinians themselves.

The unprecedented crisis also signalled an end to a deal sponsored by Saudi Arabia in Makkah some months ago to end similar clashes and form a unity government. This government is on the verge of collapse and we are back to square one.

No Arab government would be willing to step in now because the Palestinian movements have evidently failed to honour their commitment to the Makkah Accord.

There is no justification at all to the shameful actions taking place in Gaza. The pursuit of power is a legitimate quest. But it should be pursued through political norms - the elections.

Hamas is alleging that Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, is out to overthrow the elected government led by the Islamist movement. That might be true but it does not justify resorting to civil war.

"Palestinian blood is a red line that can never be crossed" was one of the late president Yasser Arafat's favourite sayings and, to his credit, he always made sure it remained true.

The new leaders, it seems, do not have the same convictions as they are being consciously led into civil strife by the sheer greed for power. The Palestinians need new leaders aware of their real duties; to resist the occupation and realise the dream of liberation and establishing an independent state.