Battle of Gaza (2007)

{{Short description|Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip from Fatah}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox military conflict | conflict = Battle of Gaza | partof = the [[Fatah–Hamas conflict]] and [[Palestinian internal political violence]] | date = 7–15 June 2007<ref>https://www.gov.il/en/pages/pchr-publishes-report-on-internal-fighting-in-the-gaza-strip-7-14-june-2007</ref><ref>https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-209128/</ref><ref>https://pchrgaza.org/victims-of-internal-clashes-between-fatah-and-hamas-increase-84-killed-including-2-children-5-women-and-15-other-civilians-and-nearly-600-injured/</ref> | image = Gaza Strip map2.svg | caption = Map of the Gaza Strip | place = [[Gaza Strip]], [[Palestine]] *''With spillovers to the [[West Bank]]''<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/news/palestinian-president-charges-coup-attempt/</ref> | territory = * Hamas takeover of the [[Gaza Strip]] * Hamas expels the Fatah government and forms [[Gaza Strip under Hamas|new one in the Gaza Strip]] | result = [[Hamas]] victory | combatant1 = {{tree list}} * {{flagicon image|Flag of Palestine.svg}} [[Gaza Strip under Hamas|Hamas government]]{{efn|From June 11}} ** {{flagicon|Hamas}} [[Hamas]] * {{flag|Palestinian Islamic Jihad}}<ref>https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2007/6/10/israeli-missiles-hit-gaza-targets</ref> * {{flagicon|Fatah}} [[Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades]]<ref>https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2007/6/10/israeli-missiles-hit-gaza-targets</ref> {{tree list end}} | combatant2 = {{tree list}} * {{flagicon image|Flag of Palestine.svg}} [[Palestinian Authority]] ** {{flagicon|Fatah}} [[Fatah]] {{tree list/end}}<hr/>{{tree list}} * {{flag|Israel}}<ref>https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2007/6/10/israeli-missiles-hit-gaza-targets</ref> {{tree list end}} | units1 = {{tree list}} * {{flagicon|Hamas}} [[Hamas]] ** {{flagicon|Hamas}} [[Al-Qassam Brigades]] ** {{flagicon image|Emblem of the Palestinian Civil Police Force.png|border=}} [[Palestinian Civil Police Force (Hamas)|Executive Force]] * {{flagicon|Palestinian Islamic Jihad}} [[Al-Quds Brigades]]<ref>https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2007/6/10/israeli-missiles-hit-gaza-targets</ref> * {{flagicon|Fatah}} [[Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades]]<ref>https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2007/6/10/israeli-missiles-hit-gaza-targets</ref> {{tree list/end}} | units2 = {{tree list}} * {{flagicon|Fatah}} [[Fatah]] ** {{armed forces|Fatah}}{{surrendered}} * {{Flagicon image|Coat of arms of Palestine (alternative).svg|border=|size=22px}} [[Palestinian Security Services]] ** {{Flagicon image|Emblem of the Palestinian National Security Forces.svg|border=|size=22px}} [[Palestinian National Security Forces]] ** [[Palestinian Preventive Security]] ** {{flagicon image|Emblem of the Palestinian General Intelligence.svg|border=|size=22px}} [[General Intelligence Service (Palestine)|Palestinian General Intelligence Service]] ** {{Flagicon image|Emblem of the Palestinian Presidential Guard.svg|border=|size=22px}} [[Palestinian Presidential Guard]] {{tree list/end}} <hr/>{{tree list}} * {{military|Israel}} ** {{air force|Israel}} {{tree list/end}} | strength1 = {{flagicon|Hamas}} [[Al-Qassam Brigades]]: 15,000 {{flagicon image|Emblem of the Palestinian Civil Police Force.png|border=}} [[Palestinian Civil Police Force (Hamas)|Executive Police Force]]: 6,000<ref name="Ynet: Religious war">{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3360655,00.html |title=Religious war in Gaza |work=[[Ynet]] |date=3 February 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224133951/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3360655,00.html |archive-date=December 24, 2014 |df=mdy-all |last1=Shaked |first1=Ronny }}</ref><ref name="latimes">{{cite news |url = http://www.latimes.com/wireless/avantgo/la-fg-palestinians17may17,0,6814988.story |archive-url = https://archive.today/20100201171259/http://www.latimes.com/wireless/avantgo/la-fg-palestinians17may17,0,6814988.story |url-status = dead |archive-date = February 1, 2010 |title = Factional fighting in Gaza imperils unity government |author = Henry Chu |work = Los Angeles Times |date = May 17, 2007}} Article reprinted at [http://www.unitedjerusalem.org/index2.asp?id=917806&Date=5/18/2007] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928071906/http://www.unitedjerusalem.org/index2.asp?id=917806&Date=5%2F18%2F2007 |date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref> '''Total''': ~21,000 | strength2 = {{armed forces|Fatah}}: 3,500+{{surrendered}} {{Flagicon image|Emblem of the Palestinian National Security Forces.svg|border=|size=22px}} National Security: 30,000 [[Palestinian Preventive Security|Preventive Security]]: 30,000 {{flagicon image|Emblem of the Palestinian General Intelligence.svg|border=|size=22px}} General Intelligence: 5,000 {{Flagicon image|Emblem of the Palestinian Presidential Guard.svg|border=|size=22px}} [[Force 17|Presidential Guard]]: 4,200<ref name="Ynet: Religious war">{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3360655,00.html |title=Religious war in Gaza |work=[[Ynet]] |date=3 February 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224133951/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3360655,00.html |archive-date=December 24, 2014 |df=mdy-all |last1=Shaked |first1=Ronny }}</ref><ref name="latimes">{{cite news |url = http://www.latimes.com/wireless/avantgo/la-fg-palestinians17may17,0,6814988.story |archive-url = https://archive.today/20100201171259/http://www.latimes.com/wireless/avantgo/la-fg-palestinians17may17,0,6814988.story |url-status = dead |archive-date = February 1, 2010 |title = Factional fighting in Gaza imperils unity government |author = Henry Chu |work = Los Angeles Times |date = May 17, 2007}} Article reprinted at [http://www.unitedjerusalem.org/index2.asp?id=917806&Date=5/18/2007] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928071906/http://www.unitedjerusalem.org/index2.asp?id=917806&Date=5%2F18%2F2007 |date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref> '''Total''': 72,700+ | commander1 = {{flagicon|Hamas}} [[Ismail Haniyeh]] {{flagicon|Hamas}} [[Khaled Mashal]] | commander2 = {{flagicon|Fatah}} [[Mahmoud Abbas]] {{flagicon|Fatah}} [[Mohammed Dahlan]] {{flagicon|Fatah}} Mohammed Sweirki{{KIA}} | casualties4 = At least 161 killed (120 combatants, 39 civilians, 2 [[UNRWA]] personnel)<ref name=BBC20070613>{{cite news|author=|title=Hamas battles for control of Gaza|publisher=[[BBC News]]|location=London|date=13 June 2007|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6748811.stm|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref><ref name=PCHR2007>{{cite web|author=|title=PCHR Publishes "Black Days in the Absence of Justice: Report on Bloody Fighting in the Gaza Strip from 7 to 14 June 2007"|series=PCHR News|publisher=[[Palestinian Centre for Human Rights]]|location=Gaza City|date=9 October 2007|url=http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2007/news/54-2007.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907211849/http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2007/news/54-2007.html|access-date=15 October 2023|archive-date=7 September 2008}}</ref> 700+ injured<ref name=PCHR2007/> }} {{campaignbox Fatah–Hamas conflict}} {{Politics of the Gaza Strip}}

The '''Battle of Gaza''', also known as the '''Gaza civil war''', was a brief [[civil war]] between [[Fatah]] and [[Hamas]] that took place in the [[Gaza Strip]] from 7 to 15 June 2007. It was a prominent event in the [[Fatah–Hamas conflict]], centered on the struggle for power after the fall of the [[Second Haniyeh Government|National Unity Government]] between Hamas and Fatah, which was dissolved shortly afterwards.<ref name=CNN20070614>{{Cite news|author=|title=Hamas controls Gaza, says it will stay in power|date=14 June 2007|publisher=[[CNN]]|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/06/14/gaza/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070706162324/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/06/14/gaza/|url-status=dead|archivedate=6 July 2007|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref> This led to the ''de facto'' division of the [[Palestinian territories]] into two entities: the [[West Bank]] governed by the [[Palestinian National Authority]] (PNA), and the Gaza Strip [[Governance of the Gaza Strip|governed by Hamas]]. Hamas fighters took control of the Gaza Strip, while Fatah officials were either taken as prisoners, executed, or expelled.<ref name=CNN20070614/><ref name=Guardian20070615>{{cite news|first1=Ian|last1=Black|first2=Mark|last2=Tran|title=Hamas takes control of Gaza|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|location=[[London]]|date=15 June 2007|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/jun/15/israel4|access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref> The [[Palestinian Centre for Human Rights]] reported that at least 161 people were killed and more than 700 were wounded during the fighting.<ref name=PCHR2007/>

== Background == {{Main|Fatah–Hamas conflict}}

=== Events leading up to the 2006 Palestinian legislative election === In 2003, the [[Palestinian Basic Law]] of the PNA was amended<ref name=BasicLaw>{{cite report|author1=The Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization|author2=The President of the Palestinian National Authority|author-link1=Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization|author-link2=President of the Palestinian National Authority|title=BASIC LAW OF THE PALESTINIAN NATIONAL AUTHORITY|publisher=[[Venice Commission|European Commission for Democracy through Law]]|location=Strasbourg, France|date=4 March 2009|url=https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL(2009)008-e|access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref> and a semi-presidential form of government was established, whereby a constitution creates a directly elected fixed-term president, plus a prime minister and cabinet collectively responsible to the legislature.<ref name=Cavatorta2010>{{cite journal|last1=Cavatorta|first1=F.|last2=Elgie|first2=R.|title=The Impact of Semi-Presidentialism on Governance in the Palestinian Authority|journal=Parliamentary Affairs|volume=63|issue=1|pages=22–40|year=2010|url=https://academic.oup.com/pa/article/63/1/22/1435241|doi=10.1093/pa/gsp028|doi-access=free}}</ref>

Documents published in the [[Palestine Papers]] reveal that in 2004, the British [[MI6|Secret Intelligence Service]] helped to draw up a security plan for the Fatah-led PNA. The plan proposed a number of ways to degrade the capabilities of opposition groups such as Hamas, [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]] (PIJ), and [[al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades|Al-Aqsa Brigades]]. The strategy would involve disruption of [[Command and control|command, control, and communications]] capabilities, detention of key officials, and confiscation of their weapons and financial resources.<ref name=Palestpapers>{{cite web|author=|title=Palestinian Security Plan|publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|department=Investigations|series=The Palestine Papers|location=[[Doha]], [[Qatar]]|url=http://transparency.aljazeera.net/files/238.pdf|access-date=14 October 2023|archive-date=19 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019062507/http://transparency.aljazeera.net/files/238.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=BBC20110125>{{cite news|author=|title=Palestinian papers: UK's MI6 'tried to weaken Hamas'|publisher=[[BBC News]]|location=[[London]]|date=25 January 2011|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12283082|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref> This plan was passed to [[Jibril Rajoub]], a senior Fatah official of the PNA, and most of the stated objectives were achieved by the West Bank-based PNA security apparatus.<ref name=Guardian2011012501>{{cite news|author1=Ian Black|author2=Seumas Milne|title=Palestine papers reveal MI6 drew up plan for crackdown on Hamas|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|date=25 January 2011|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/25/palestine-papers-mi6-hamas-crackdown|access-date=14 October 2011}}</ref><ref name=Guardian2011012502>{{cite news|author1=Ian Black|author2=Seumas Milne|title=Palestine papers: MI6 plan proposed internment – and hotline to Israelis|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|date=25 January 2011|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/25/mi6-palestinian-papers-rejectionists-plan|access-date=14 October 2011}}</ref>

[[Yasser Arafat]], the [[President of the Palestinian National Authority]], died on 11 November 2004. A [[2005 Palestinian presidential election|Palestinian presidential election]] to fill the position took place on 9 January 2005 in both the West Bank and Gaza. This election—which was boycotted by both Hamas and PIJ—resulted in [[Palestine Liberation Organization]] (PLO) and Fatah chairman [[Mahmoud Abbas]] being elected president for a four-year term.<ref name=BBC20050109>{{cite news|author=|title=2005: Abbas triumphs in Palestinian elections|publisher=[[BBC News]]|location=[[London]]|date=9 January 2005|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/9/newsid_4514000/4514342.stm|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref><ref name=CNN20050111>{{cite news|author=Ben Wedeman|title=Abbas declared victor in Palestinian election|publisher=CNN|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/01/10/palestinian.elections/|date=11 January 2005|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref>

On 8 February 2005, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister [[Ariel Sharon]] announced a ceasefire,<ref name=CNN20050208>{{cite news|author=Ben Wedeman|title=Palestinian, Israeli leaders announce cease-fire|publisher=CNN|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/02/08/mideast/|date=8 February 2005|access-date=9 June 2018}}</ref> which Hamas endorsed on 17 March 2005.<ref name=merip>{{cite web|author=[[Graham Usher (journalist)|Graham Usher]]|title=The New Hamas – Between Resistance and Participation|publisher=Middle East Research and Information Project|year=2005|url=https://www.merip.org/mero/mero082105|access-date=9 June 2018}}</ref> On 19 March 2005, twelve Palestinian factions—including Fatah, Hamas, PIJ, the [[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine]] (PFLP), and the [[Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine]] (DFLP)—signed the [[Palestinian Cairo Declaration]], which reaffirmed the status of the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, and implied a reform of the PLO by its inclusion of Hamas and PIJ.<ref name=maannews197737>[http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=197737 ''PFLP and DFLP urge Abbas to preserve the Cairo declaration, honour the call for PLO reform'']. Ma'an News Agency, 20 July 2007</ref>

Israel completed its [[Israeli disengagement from Gaza|unilateral disengagement]] from the Gaza Strip on 12 September 2005, removing all Israeli residents and security personnel, and demolishing all of the associated residential buildings.<ref name=molad>{{cite web|author=Avishay Ben Sasson-Gordis|translator-last=Bubis|translator-first=Michelle|title=The Strategic Balance of Israel's Withdrawal from Gaza (2005–2016)|publisher=[[Molad: The Center for the Renewal of Israeli Democracy]]|location=Jerusalem, Israel|year=2016|url=http://www.molad.org/images/upload/files/Disengagement-Eng-report-full_final-for-website.pdf|access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref> On 26 September 2005, Israeli forces arrested or detained 450 members of Hamas for violating the ban on rallies, public meetings, and election campaigns inside Jerusalem. Most of those Hamas members were either running for office or actively campaigning for candidates in the 2006 Palestinian legislative election.<ref name=Addameer2009>{{cite web|author=|title=The Arrest and Detention of Palestinian Legislative Council Members|date=15 May 2009|publisher=[[Addameer|Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association]]|location=Jerusalem|url=http://www.addameer.org/publications/arrest-and-detention-palestinian-legislative-council-members|access-date=15 October 2023|archive-date=18 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118225418/http://www.addameer.org/publications/arrest-and-detention-palestinian-legislative-council-members|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 2006 Palestinian legislative election === {{Further|2006 Palestinian legislative election}}

The [[2006 Palestinian legislative election]] took place on 25 January 2006 and was assessed by [[Election monitoring#International election monitoring|international observers]] as free and fair.<ref name=CRS20060209>{{cite report|author=Aaron D. Pina|title=Palestinian Elections – February 9, 2006|publisher=[[Congressional Research Service]], [[Library of Congress]]|location=Washington, D.C.|date=9 February 2006|url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33269.pdf|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref><ref name=cartercenter>{{cite web|author=[[Jimmy Carter]]|title=Palestinian Elections: Trip Report by Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter|publisher=[[Carter Center]]|location=Atlanta, Georgia|date=29 January 2006|url=https://www.cartercenter.org/news/documents/doc2287.html|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref> It resulted in a Hamas victory, surprising Israel and the United States, which had expected Fatah to retain power.<ref name=NYT20060130>{{cite news|author=Steven R. Weisman|title=Rice Admits U.S. Underestimated Hamas Strength|newspaper=The New York Times|location=New York City|date=30 January 2006|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/30/world/middleeast/rice-admits-us-underestimated-hamas-strength.html|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref> On 27 January, US President George Bush said "the landslide victory of the militant Islamic group Hamas was a rejection of the 'status quo' and a repudiation of the 'old guard' that had failed to provide honest government and services".<ref name=WP20060126>{{cite news|author=Glenn Kessler|title=Bush Is Conciliatory in Accepting Victory of Hamas|newspaper=The Washington Post|location=Washington, D.C.|date=27 January 2006|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/26/AR2006012601009.html|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref>

On 30 January 2006, the [[Quartet on the Middle East]] (United States, Russia, United Nations, and European Union) issued a formal statement congratulating the Palestinian people. In the statement, the Quartet stipulated that "future assistance to any new Government would be reviewed by donors against that Government's commitment to the principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the [[Road map for peace|Road Map]]."<ref name=UNSG20060130>{{cite web|author=Secretary-General of the United Nations|title=Statement By Middle East Quartet (SG/2104-PAL/2042)|publisher=United Nations|department=Department of Public Information|location=New York|date=30 January 2006|url=https://press.un.org/en/2006/sg2104.doc.htm|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref> Hamas rejected these conditions, saying that "the 'unfair conditions' would endanger the well-being of Palestinians". This view was echoed by Saudi Foreign Minister [[Saud bin Faisal Al Saud|Saud al-Faisal]], who said: "The European Union insisted on having elections in Palestine, and this is the result of what they asked for. Now to come around, and say [they] don't accept the will of the people that was expressed through democratic means, seems an unreasonable position to take." The BBC's diplomatic correspondent, James Robbins, said the Quartet's response was chosen with care: "They did not demand a renunciation of violence or immediate recognition of Israel, but a commitment to these things in the future".<ref name=BBC20060131>{{cite news|author=|title=Hamas rejects 'unfair' aid demand|publisher=BBC News|location=London|date=31 January 2006|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4664152.stm|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref>

=== First Haniyeh Government === {{Further|First Haniyeh Government}}

After Hamas rejected the conditions of the Quartet, Fatah and other factions refused to join in a national unity government. On 29 March 2006, Hamas established the [[First Haniyeh Government]], which was composed mostly of members of Hamas, with Hamas leader [[Ismail Haniyeh]] as Prime Minister.<ref name=BBC20060126>{{cite news|author=|title=Palestinian PM to quit after poll|publisher=BBC News|location=London|date=26 January 2006|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4649606.stm|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref> The international community responded by [[2006–2007 economic sanctions against the Palestinian National Authority|imposing economic sanctions]] against the PNA, and Egypt and Israel largely closed their border crossings with Gaza, instituting a [[blockade of the Gaza Strip]].

President Abbas was under pressure from the international community, which considered Hamas's victory to be unacceptable, as it was perceived to undermine decades of international efforts to secure a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The Quartet attempted to undermine Hamas and force it from power, while strengthening the position of Abbas.<ref name=NYT20060214>{{cite news|first=Steven|last=Erlanger|title=U.S. and Israelis Are Said to Talk of Hamas Ouster|newspaper=The New York Times|location=New York City|date=30 January 2006|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/14/world/middleeast/us-and-israelis-are-said-to-talk-of-hamas-ouster.html|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref><ref name=NYT20060218>{{Cite news|first=Steven|last=Erlanger|title=Hamas Leader Faults Israeli Sanction Plan|newspaper=The New York Times|location=New York City|date=18 February 2006|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/18/international/middleeast/18mideast.html|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref> It was suggested that Abbas could use his constitutional powers to dismiss the government and call for new elections, which would be intended to yield a different result and reinstall Fatah in power on the grounds that the Palestinian electorate would perceive Hamas as a failure. The threat of new elections was never carried out because it emerged that Hamas might in fact be returned to power despite its inability to implement its manifesto, and because the movement itself strongly signaled that calling new elections, although a constitutional prerogative of the President, would amount to "a coup against Palestinian legitimacy and the will of the Palestinian people".<ref name=Cavatorta2010/><ref name=Sayigh2007>{{cite journal|last1=Sayigh|first1=Yezid|author-link1=Yezid Sayigh|title=Inducing a Failed State in Palestine|journal=Survival|volume=49|issue=3|pages=7–39|year=2007|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232838035|doi=10.1080/00396330701564786|s2cid=154121051}}</ref>

The new Hamas government clashed with President Abbas, who had to share power with it based on the [[Palestinian National Covenant]]. Through presidential decrees, Abbas extended exclusive presidential authority concerning administrative actions and periodically threatened to dismiss the Haniya government.<ref name=Cavatorta2010/> He also placed the security forces of the Gaza Strip under his direct control<ref name=Cavatorta2010/> and increased the [[Palestinian Presidential Guard]]—which consisted entirely of Fatah activists loyal to him—from about 90 to 1,000 officers.<ref name=SFG20061214>{{Cite news|first=Matthew|last=Kalman|title=U.S. training Fatah in anti-terror tactics|newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|date=14 December 2006|url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/u-s-training-fatah-in-anti-terror-tactics-2465370.php|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref> Hamas responded by creating a parallel security force—the [[Palestinian Security Services#Executive Force|Executive Force]]—which consisted of members of [[Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades|its military wing]], led by [[Jamal Abu Samhadana]]. Abbas denounced the move as unconstitutional, saying that only the Palestinian president could command armed forces.<ref name=SFG20061214/> The two forces refused to cooperate—Hamas's forces supported armed resistance against Israel, whereas those of Fatah were committed to upholding the [[Oslo Accords]].<ref name=Cavatorta2010/>

Hamas was receiving money and arms from Iran, and possibly Syria, and was threatening to increase its Executive Force to 6,000 men. At that point, the U.S. began to provide training in urban anti-terrorist techniques to members of the Presidential Guard, with the goal of strengthening Abbas's security forces. Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey also began to provide similar training for the Fatah forces, and Britain, Spain, and the European Union began to provide communications equipment, vehicles, and logistical support.<ref name=SFG20061214/> There was also a plan to add the PLO's Jordan-based [[Badr Brigade in the Jordanian Army|Badr Brigade]] to the Presidential Guard.<ref name=Guardian20110123>{{cite news|author=Gene A. Cretz|author-link=Gene A. Cretz|title=US embassy cables: Israel discusses Gaza and West Bank with US|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|date=23 January 2011|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/81613|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref> Israel's Security Agency also supported President Abbas and the Presidential Guard but was concerned from their previous experience, where many Palestinian security officers who had been trained by the CIA later engaged in attacks on Israeli targets or joined the al-Aqsa Brigades during the [[Second Intifada]].<ref name=SFG20061214/>

Following the abduction by [[Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades|Hamas militants]] of [[Gilad Shalit]] on 25 June 2006 in a cross-border raid via a tunnel out of Gaza, Israel arrested 49 senior Hamas officials, including 33 parliamentarians, nearly a quarter of PLC members and ministers on the West Bank. They also intensified the boycott of Gaza and took other punitive measures.<ref name=Addameer2009/><ref name=Guardian20060821>{{cite news|author=Conal Urquhart|title=25% of Palestinian MPs detained by Israel|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|date=21 August 2006|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/aug/21/israel|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref>

=== Second Haniyeh Government === {{Main|Second Haniyeh Government}}

President Abbas and the Fatah-dominated PLO developed a plan to replace the Hamas government with one acceptable to Israel and the international community. According to the plan, unveiled in Al Jazeera's [[Palestine Papers]], a national unity government would be formed by mid-2007. If this new government failed to meet the Quartet's conditions, Abbas would dismiss the government and form an emergency government or call early elections.<ref name=PalestinianVision>{{cite web|author=|title=Palestinian Vision for Resolving the Current PA Crisis (Draft #6)|date=30 October 2006|publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|department=Investigations|series=The Palestine Papers|location=[[Doha]], [[Qatar]]|url=http://www.thepalestinepapers.com/en/projects/thepalestinepapers/2012182245231783.html|access-date=15 October 2023|archive-date=20 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020211106/http://www.thepalestinepapers.com/en/projects/thepalestinepapers/2012182245231783.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

By October 2006, the United States, Israel, many Arab governments, and most of Abbas's key advisors still held the view that if Hamas did not unambiguously accept the Quartet's conditions, it should be forced out of power.<ref name=ICG20061005>{{cite report|author=International Crisis Group|title=The Arab-Israeli Conflict: To Reach a Lasting Peace (Crisis Group Middle East Report N°58)|pages=3–4|publisher=[[International Crisis Group]]|location=Brussels, Belgium|date=5 October 2006|url=https://icg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/58-the-arab-israeli-conflict-to-reach-a-lasting-peace.pdf}}</ref> In December 2006, President Abbas called for new parliamentary and presidential elections, which members of both Hamas and Fatah rejected.<ref name=USIP2019>{{cite web|author=Robert Barron|title=Palestinian Politics Timeline: Since the 2006 Election|publisher=[[United States Institute of Peace]]|location=Washington, D.C.|date=25 June 2019|url=https://www.usip.org/palestinian-politics-timeline-2006-election|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231020133537/https://www.usip.org/palestinian-politics-timeline-2006-election|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 October 2023|access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref><ref name=SMH>[http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/palestinian-tensions-run-high-after-poll-call/2006/12/17/1166290398861.html ''Palestinian tensions run high after poll call'']. Reuters, 17 December 2006</ref>

The Fatah and Hamas factions finally signed an [[Fatah–Hamas Mecca Agreement|agreement to stop their military confrontations]] on 8 February 2007 and agreed to form a [[Second Haniyeh Government|national unity government]]. That government was established in March 2007.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

== Battle == According to the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]], the June 2007 escalation was triggered by Hamas's conviction that the Palestinian Presidential Guard—expanded by the United States to 3,500 men and loyal to Mahmoud Abbas—was being positioned to take control of Gaza.<ref name=IISSV13I05>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081020132918/http://www.iiss.org/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=2571&type=full&servicetype=Attachment ''Hamas coup in Gaza'' (pdf)], International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Volume 13, Issue 5; June 2007. [https://web.archive.org/web/20081015202544/http://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-comments/past-issues/volume-13---2007/volume-13-issue-5/hamas-coup-in-gaza/ Also in html].</ref>

On 10 June 2007, the [[Fatah–Hamas conflict]] culminated in clashes between Fatah-allied forces and Hamas-allied forces.<ref>https://www.irishtimes.com/news/rival-factions-fight-gaza-gunbattles-1.808050</ref> The primary Fatah forces were the [[Palestinian National Security Forces]], particularly the Presidential Guard. The main force of Hamas was the Executive Force. Hamas militants seized several Fatah members and threw one of them, Mohammed Sweirki, an officer in the Presidential Guard, off the top of the tallest building in Gaza, a 15-story apartment building. In retaliation, Fatah militants attacked and killed the [[Imam]] of the city's [[Great Mosque of Gaza|Great Mosque]], Mohammed al-Rifati. They also opened fire on the home of Prime Minister [[Ismail Haniyeh]]. Just before midnight, a Hamas militant was thrown off a 12-story building.<ref>Haaretz/Associated Press, 10 June 2007, [https://web.archive.org/web/20100825164924/http://www.haaretz.com/news/palestinian-gunmen-target-haniyeh-s-home-in-gaza-1.222703 ''Palestinian gunmen target Haniyeh's home in Gaza'']. On web.archive.org</ref>

On 11 June, gunmen opened fire on the Palestinian cabinet building while the government was meeting inside. Fatah gunmen fired shots at the residence of [[Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority|Prime Minister]] Ismail Haniya, of Hamas, in Gaza City, but no casualties were reported.<ref>Abraham Rabinovich, [https://web.archive.org/web/20070611232931/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0%2C20867%2C21890067-601%2C00.html ''Deadly escalation in Fatah-Hamas feud'']. The Australian, 12 June 2007. On web.archive.org</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Palestinian rivalry |work=[[CBC News]] |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news2/background/middleeast/gaza_timeline_recent.html |access-date=12 December 2023}}</ref>

On 12 June, Hamas began attacking posts held by their Fatah rivals. Hundreds of Hamas fighters had moved on the positions after giving their occupants two hours to leave. A major Fatah base in the northern town of [[Jabalia]] fell to Hamas fighters, witnesses told AFP news agency. Heavy fighting also raged around the main Fatah headquarters in Gaza City, with Hamas militants attacking with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons.<ref name=bbchamas>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6744713.stm Hamas launches new Gaza attacks], BBC News Online, 12 June 2007.</ref>

On 13 June, Hamas attacked the headquarters of the Palestinian National Security Forces in northern Gaza. Gunmen fought for control of high-rise buildings serving as sniper positions, and Hamas said it had bulldozed a Fatah outpost controlling Gaza's main north–south road. Also on that day, an explosion wrecked the [[Khan Yunis]] headquarters of the Fatah-linked [[Palestinian Preventive Security]], killing five people.<ref name=BBC20070613/>

On 14 June, President Abbas announced the [[Fatah–Hamas conflict#June 2007: split of government|dissolution of the unity government and declared a state of emergency]] as Hamas militants took over vehicles and weapons in the National Security headquarters compound—Abbas' residence.<ref name=pyrrhic>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/story/0,,2104476,00.html|title=A pyrrhic victory|work=The Guardian|location=London|date=16 June 2007}}</ref> The gunmen who entered the compound held a prayer there and waved a flag on the building's rooftop. At least 10 people were killed. Hamas TV broadcast a display of weapons inside the building, as well as jeeps, [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]] shells and bulletproof vests seized in the compound, which, according to Hamas, were smuggled to Fatah by Israel and the Americans in the past few months across the border with Egypt.<ref name=ynet>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3412813,00.html We'll execute Fatah leaders], Israel News, 14 June 2007.</ref> Hamas also changed the name of the neighborhood where the building is located from "[[Tel al-Hawa]]" to "Tel al-Islam".<ref name=ynet/> On the afternoon of 14 June, the [[Associated Press]] reported an explosion that rocked [[Gaza City]]. According to Fatah officials, security forces withdrew from their post and blew it up in order to not let Hamas take it over. The security forces later repositioned to another location. Later on 14 June, Hamas also took control of the southern Gaza Strip city of [[Rafah]], which lies near an already closed border crossing with Egypt that, a crossing that is monitored by Israeli, Palestinian, and European Union security forces. The EU staff had, at that time, already been relocated to the Israeli city of [[Ashkelon]] for safety reasons.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

On 15 June, Hamas completed taking control of the Gaza Strip, seizing all PNA government institutions and replacing all PNA officials in Gaza with Hamas members.<ref name=Guardian20070615/><ref name="intern_fight_p14-15">{{cite book|title=Internal fight: Palestinian abuses in Gaza and the West Bank|pages=14–15|author2=Human Rights Watch|first1=Fred|last1=Abrahams|publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]]|year=2008|author2-link=Human Rights Watch}}</ref>

== Alleged military coup == As a result of the battle, Hamas took complete control of Gaza. The pro-Fatah view is that it was a plain [[Coup d'état|military coup]] by Hamas. The pro-Hamas view is that the US drew up a plan to arm Fatah cadres with the aim of forcefully removing Hamas from power in Gaza, and that Fatah fighters, led by commander [[Mohammed Dahlan]] with logistical support from the US [[Central Intelligence Agency]], were planning to carry out a bloody coup against Hamas.<ref name=Bombshell_falling>[http://www.ipsnews.net/2008/04/mideast-this-bombshell-took-a-year-falling/ ''This 'Bombshell' Took a Year Falling'']. Adam Morrow and Khaled Moussa al-Omrani, Inter Press Service, 2 April 2008</ref> Then, Hamas pre-emptively took control over Gaza.

In an April 2008 article in ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' magazine, the journalist [[David Rose (journalist)|David Rose]] published confidential documents, apparently originating from the US State Department, which would prove that the United States collaborated with the PNA and Israel to attempt the violent overthrow of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and that Hamas pre-empted the coup. The documents suggest that a government with Hamas should meet the demands of the [[Quartet on the Middle East|Middle East Quartet]], otherwise President Mahmoud Abbas should declare a "state of emergency", which effectively would dissolve the current unity government, or the government should collapse by other means.<ref name="Vanity Fair"/> Rose quotes former Vice President [[Dick Cheney]]'s chief Middle East adviser [[David Wurmser]], who accused the Bush administration of "engaging in a dirty war in an effort to provide a corrupt dictatorship [led by Abbas] with victory". Wurmser believes that Hamas had no intention of taking Gaza until Fatah forced its hand. "It looks to me that what happened wasn't so much a coup by Hamas but an attempted coup by Fatah that was pre-empted before it could happen."<ref name="Vanity Fair">{{cite magazine |last1=Rose |first1=David |author1-link=David Rose (journalist) |title=The Gaza Bombshell |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2008/04/gaza200804 |access-date=3 October 2025 |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date=3 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250930050016/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2008/04/gaza200804 |archive-date=30 September 2025}}</ref>

According to [[Alastair Crooke]], the then British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]] decided in 2003 to tie UK and EU security policy in the West Bank and Gaza to a US-led [[counterinsurgency]] against Hamas. This led to an internal policy contradiction that pre-empted the EU from mounting any effective foreign policy on the "peace process" alternative to that of the US. At a political level, the EU "talked the talk" of reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas, Palestinian state-building, and democracy. At the practical level, the EU "walked the walk" of disruption, detention, seizing finances, and destroying the capabilities of one [Hamas] of the two factions and prevented the parliament from exercising any control.<ref name=Crooke>[http://www.aljazeera.com/palestinepapers/2011/01/2011125142614893217.html Blair's counter-insurgency "surge"]. Alastair Crooke, Aljazeera, 25 January 2011</ref>

According to Crooke, the Quartet conditions for engagement with Hamas were developed precisely in order to prevent Hamas from meeting them, rather than as guidelines intended to open the path for diplomatic solutions. Then, British and American intelligence services were preparing a "soft" coup to remove Hamas from power in Gaza.<ref name=Crooke/>

== Violations of international law == {{Quote box |quote = These attacks by both Hamas and Fatah constitute brutal assaults on the most fundamental humanitarian principles. The murder of civilians not engaged in hostilities and the willful killing of captives are war crimes, pure and simple. |author = Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director for [[Human Rights Watch]]<ref name=HRW>{{cite web|author=|title=Gaza: Armed Palestinian Groups Commit Grave Crimes|date=12 June 2007|publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]]|location=New York City|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2007/06/12/gaza-armed-palestinian-groups-commit-grave-crimes|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref> |align = |width =25em |bgcolor = #c6dbf7 }}

[[Human Rights Watch]] accused both sides of violating international humanitarian law, in some instances amounting to war crimes. For example, Fatah and Hamas fighters targeted and killed people not involved in hostilities, and engaged in gun battles near and even inside hospitals. The accusations also included public executions of captives and political opponents, throwing prisoners off high-rise apartment buildings, and shooting from a jeep marked with press insignia.<ref name="HRW" />

During the fighting, many incidents of looting took place. A crowd took furniture, wall tiles, and personal belongings from the villa of the deceased Palestinian leader and founder of Fatah [[Yasser Arafat]].<ref name=Ynet20070616>{{cite news|author=Ali Waked|title=Crowd loots Gaza home of Arafat|work=[[Ynet]]|publisher=[[Yedioth Ahronoth]]|location=Rishon LeZion, Israel|date=16 June 2007|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3413510,00.html|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref> The home of former Fatah commander [[Mohammed Dahlan]] was also looted, as was Abbas's seafront presidential compound.<ref name=IOL20070615>{{cite news|author=|title=Hamas goes on Gaza looting spree|work=Independent Online|location=Cape Town, South Africa|date=15 June 2007|url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/world/hamas-goes-on-gaza-looting-spree-357822|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref>

More than 1,000 persons, mostly members of Fatah or the PNA, were illegally arrested or detained in the first months of Hamas rule. The [[Palestinian Centre for Human Rights]] and [[Amnesty International]] documented many instances of people being abducted and tortured by Hamas militants.<ref name=Schanzer2009>{{Cite journal|author=Jonathan Schanzer|author-link=Jonathan Schanzer|title=The Talibanization of Gaza: A Liability for the Muslim Brotherhood|journal=Current Trends in Islamist Ideology|volume=9|pages=110–119|year=2009|url=http://www.hudson.org/content/researchattachments/attachment/1179/20100108_ct9forposting.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910161843/https://www.hudson.org/content/researchattachments/attachment/1179/20100108_ct9forposting.pdf|archive-date=10 September 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Aftermath ==

=== Division of government === {{Further|Fatah–Hamas conflict}}

On 14 June 2007, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reacted to the Hamas takeover by declaring a [[state of emergency]]. He dismissed the [[Palestinian National Unity Government of March 2007|unity government]] led by [[Ismail Haniyeh]], and by presidential decree installed [[Salam Fayyad]] as prime minister.<ref name="IDSA">[http://www.idsa.in/idsastrategiccomments/GazaontheBoil_SSCRajiv_210607 Gaza on the Boil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025060743/https://www.idsa.in/idsastrategiccomments/GazaontheBoil_SSCRajiv_210607 |date=25 October 2023 }}, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), S. Samuel C. Rajiv, 21 June 2007</ref><ref name=fox_disolve>{{cite news|title=Abbas Dissolves Palestinian Authority Government in Wake of Hamas-Fatah War|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,282195,00.html|date=14 June 2007|access-date=14 June 2007|work=Fox News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616164426/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C282195%2C00.html|archive-date=16 June 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=telegraph_dissolve>{{cite news|first=Charles|last=Levinson|author2=Matthew Moore|title=Abbas declares state of emergency in Gaza|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/14/wgaza614.xml|date=14 June 2007|access-date=14 June 2007|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070618102009/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2007%2F06%2F14%2Fwgaza614.xml|archive-date=18 June 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Haniyeh refused to accept his dismissal, accusing Abbas of participating in a US-led plot to overthrow him.<ref name="IDSA"/> Experts in Palestinian law, and independent members of the PLC, have questioned the legitimacy of the Fayyad government.<ref name="intern_fight_p14">{{cite book|title=Internal fight: Palestinian abuses in Gaza and the West Bank|page=14|author2=Human Rights Watch|author2-link=Human Rights Watch|first1=Fred|last1=Abrahams|publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]]|year=2008}}</ref> According to the [[Palestinian law#Basic Law|Palestinian Basic Law]], the President can dismiss the prime minister, but the dismissed government continues to function as a caretaker government until a new government is formed and receives a vote of confidence from an absolute majority of the [[Palestinian Legislative Council]].<ref name="intern_fight_p14"/><ref name="Entous">[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-law-idUSL0824203920070708 ''Framers of Palestinian constitution challenge Abbas''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141124205852/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/07/08/us-palestinians-law-idUSL0824203920070708|date=24 November 2014}}. Adam Entous, Reuters, 8 July 2007</ref> The Hamas-majority PLC has never met to confirm the Fayyad government.<ref name="intern_fight_p14"/> President Abbas, by presidential decree in September 2007, changed the voting system for the PLC into a full [[proportional representation]] system, bypassing the dysfunctional PLC.<ref name=pchr_position>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090612204924/http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2007/115-2007.html ''PCHR Position on the Presidential Decree on the Election Law'']. PCHR, 4 September 2007</ref>

With the dissolution of the Hamas-led unity government, the territory controlled by the PNA was ''de facto'' divided into two entities: the Hamas-controlled [[Governance of the Gaza Strip|government of the Gaza Strip]], and the [[West Bank]], governed by the PNA.<ref name=nyt_divided>{{cite news|title=Hamas Forces Seize Control Over Much of Gaza|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/13/world/middleeast/13cnd-mideast.html|work=The New York Times|first=Steven|last=Erlanger|date=13 June 2007|access-date=26 April 2010}}</ref>

The international community recognized the emergency government. Within days, the US recognized the Fayyad government, and ended the 15-month economic and political boycott of the PNA, in a bid to bolster President Abbas and the new Fatah-led Fayyad government. The European Union similarly announced plans to resume direct aid to the Palestinians, while Israel released to Abbas Palestinian tax revenues that Israel had withheld since Hamas took control of the Palestinian Legislative Council.<ref name=iht_us_ends_embargo>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070621083640/http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/06/19/sports/pals.php ''U.S. ends embargo on Palestinian Authority in move to bolster Fatah'']. Helene Cooper, International Herald Tribune, 19 June 2007</ref> The [[Quartet on the Middle East|Middle East Quartet]] reiterated their continued support of Abbas and resumed normal relations with the Fatah-led PNA. The secretary-general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, urged international support for Abbas's efforts "to restore law and order".<ref name="IDSA"/><ref name=bbc_dissolve_2>{{cite news|title=Key powers back Abbas government|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6764541.stm|date=18 June 2007|access-date=18 June 2007|publisher=BBC News|location=London}}</ref> Israel and Egypt began a [[blockade of the Gaza Strip]].

=== Religious consequences === {{Further|Islamism in the Gaza Strip}}

Islam is the official religion of the Palestinian Authority, and there are no Palestinian laws that specifically protect the religious freedom of [[Kafir|non-Muslims]].<ref name=Raab2003>{{cite web|author=David Raab|title=The Beleaguered Christians of the Palestinian-Controlled Areas|series=Jerusalem Letter|publisher=[[Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs]]|location=Jerusalem|date=January 2003|url=https://www.jcpa.org/jl/vp490.htm|access-date=15 October 2023|archive-date=18 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018134537/http://www.jcpa.org/jl/vp490.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> After Hamas took complete control of the Gaza Strip, they declared the "end of secularism and heresy in the Gaza Strip".<ref name=JP20070615>{{cite news|author=Khaled Abu Toameh|author-link=Khaled Abu Toameh|title=Haniyeh calls for Palestinian unity|date=15 June 2007|newspaper=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|location=Jerusalem|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/haniyeh-calls-for-palestinian-unity|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref> The PLO and some Palestinian media outlets suggested that Hamas intended to establish an Islamic [[emirate]] and that Hamas employed a combination of violence, authoritarian rule, and Islamic ideology to control the residents of Gaza. Hamas political chief [[Ismael Haniyeh]] denied these accusations.<ref name=Schanzer2009/> A Hamas spokesman in Gaza said that Hamas was imposing [[Sharia|Islamic law]] in Gaza, but this was denied by exiled Hamas leader [[Khaled Mashal]].<ref name=CNN20070614/>

With roughly 35,000 [[Palestinian Christians]] in the West Bank, 12,500 in [[East Jerusalem]], and 3,000 in Gaza, Christians represent about 1.3 percent of the Palestinian population.<ref name=Raab2003/> Two days after Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip, a school and convent belonging to the Gaza Strip's tiny Roman Catholic community were ransacked, looted, and burned. Fatah accused Hamas of being behind the attack but Hamas denied it.<ref name=Ynet20070618>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Catholic compound ransacked in Gaza|work=[[Ynet]]|publisher=[[Yedioth Ahronoth]]|location=Rishon LeZion, Israel|date=18 June 2007|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3414607,00.html|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref>

An Islamist movement called [[Islamist anti-Hamas groups in the Gaza Strip#Jihadia Salafiya|Jihadia Salafiya]] began to enforce Islamic law in Gaza, including a ban on alcohol, internet cafes, pool halls, bars, and on women in public places without proper head coverings. Sheik Abu Saqer, the leader of Jihadia Salafiya, said that Christians could only continue to live in the Gaza Strip if they accepted Islamic law and that Christians in Gaza who engage in [[evangelism|missionary activity]] would be dealt with harshly. He further stated: "I expect our Christian neighbors to understand the new Hamas rule means real changes. They must be ready for Islamic rule if they want to live in peace in Gaza."<ref name="Ynet20070619">{{cite news|author=Aaron Klein|title=Christians must accept Islamic rule|work=[[Ynet]]|publisher=[[Yedioth Ahronoth]]|location=Rishon LeZion, Israel|date=19 June 2007|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3414753,00.html|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref> Dozens of attacks against Christian targets—including barbershops, music stores, and schools—soon followed.<ref name="Schanzer2009" /> The only Christian bookstore in Gaza was attacked, and [[Killing of Rami Ayyad|the owner murdered]], on 7 October 2007.<ref name="Haaretz20071101">{{cite news|last=Ormestad|first=Catrin|title=I know how to make you a Muslim|newspaper=Haaretz|location=Tel Aviv|date=1 November 2007|url=https://www.haaretz.com/2007-11-01/ty-article/i-know-how-to-make-you-a-muslim/0000017f-dbcc-db22-a17f-fffd6b690000|access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref> In February 2008, gunmen blew up the YMCA library in the Gaza Strip.<ref name="Schanzer2009" />

=== Weapons === Hamas captured thousands of small arms and eight armoured combat vehicles supplied by the United States, Egypt, and Jordan.<ref name=menewsline>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070616141623/http://menewsline.com/stories/2007/june/06_15_1.html Hamas seizes US-financed weapons, equipment], Middle East Newsline, 14 June 2007.</ref> According to Muhammad Abdel-El of the Hamas-allied [[Popular Resistance Committees]], Hamas and its allies captured quantities of foreign intelligence, including [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] files. Abu Abdullah of Hamas's "military wing", the [[Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades|Al-Qassam Brigades]], claimed that Hamas would make portions of the documents public, in an attempt to expose covert relations between the United States and "traitor" Arab countries.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

== Notes == {{Notelist}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * [https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6752269.stm In pictures: Hamas takes Gaza (BBC)] * [https://info.wafa.ps/ar_page.aspx?id=9198 Martyrs of the coup in the Gaza Strip] (a list of people killed in factional fighting in Gaza, 8 January 2005 – 17 December 2007)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Battle of Gaza (2007)}} [[Category:Battles in 2007|Gaza]] [[Category:Fatah–Hamas conflict]] [[Category:Politics of the Gaza Strip]] [[Category:2007 in the Gaza Strip]] [[Category:June 2007 in Asia]] [[Category:Violations of medical neutrality during the Israeli–Palestinian conflict]]