Civil War?

There is an escalating conflict in the Mid-East and it's happening in Palestine. In January, Hamas won parliamentary elections and several international sources of economic aid stopped their funding, most notably the US and EU. Since then the government has struggled to pay security forces. Unpaid men with guns is never a good thing... Hamas militias have remained resolute because of their rigid ideology and the trickled-in from traditional external income sources (specifically Iran).

After the ruling party turned into the 'loyal opposition' (Fatah; the party formerly headed by Yasser Arafat, now led by Mahmoud Abbas who is also known as Abu Mazen), security forces loyal to Fatah (including Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades) have been paid poorly or not at all. Tensions have been exacerbated by violence; in May the Sunday Times reported a Hamas assassination plot against President Abbas. Yesterday, Fatah gunmen attacked the parliament and cabinet buildings in Ramallah, shooting out windows and setting fires. Fire trucks were reportedly blocked from responding by human barricades in the streets.

Mr. Abbas has been the clearest supporter of a two-state peace accord. He is expected to put the plan up for popular referendum which, if accepted, would deal a critical blow to Hamas whose platform calls for the destruction of Israel. For its part, Hamas has increased its bellicose rhetoric; last week their militias renounced a seventeen-month truce made with Israel.

I'm interested to see if peace is desired by the people of Palestine after almost six years of violence.