Palestinian internal strife must be ended

The Hamas-Fatah infighting has reached a level where it seriously needs to be curtailed. Whatever gains each side believes to have made in the current stand-off will prove to be costly and damaging in the long term, not for the factions themselves as much as for the people of the Occupied Territories.

The latest clash between Hamas and Fatah has brought the number of injured to at least 16. The tensions between the two sides have increased the number of arrests and armed attacks, which have been carried out by members of both opposing factions. Unfortunately, the bitter rivalry has resulted in the rampant torture of detainees. Human Rights Watch released a report last week in which it concluded that the infighting between the two Palestinian factions had led to arbitrary arrests, torture and abuse of detainees by both sides.

It is disappointing that the state of affairs has reached such a low level between the two Palestinian groups. This, especially given the serious turn of events in the region as well on the international scene. And instead of seizing the opportunity to build and prepare for the changes the future would bring, the warring factions have opted for the easiest alternative of all - turning their guns against each other.

There are serious and impending issues that need to be addressed with a sense of urgency. The suffering of the Palestinian people has reached a serious stage because of various problems they are being forced to face on a daily basis, including water shortages, the endless blockades, lack of adequate medical care, the confiscation of land and the continuation of the colony building.

Before shooting the next bullet, Hamas and Fatah should first think about the people.