(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many residents of the Palestinian Territories would like to see their government work on securing the streets, according to a poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. 43 per cent of respondents believe the new administration should focus on the enforcement of law and order.

Conversely, 26 per cent of respondents think the unity government should work on restoring relations with international donors, 17 per cent call for political reform and the eradication of corruption, and only 13 per cent believe their leaders should work on political negotiations involving a peace process.

Fatah member Mahmoud Abbas won the January 2005 Palestinian Authority presidential ballot with 62.32 per cent of all cast ballots. In January 2006, Hamas—an organization listed as "terrorist" by several countries including the United States, Canada and Israel, and the European Union (EU)—won the Palestinian Legislative Council election, securing 74 of the 112 seats at stake.

In April 2006, the European Commission and the United States suspended direct aid to the Palestinian Authority until Hamas "renounces violence." The economic sanctions were designed both to isolate Hamas and send a message of intolerance towards terrorism. After negotiations geared at establishing a unity government with Hamas and Fatah failed in October 2006, tensions escalated between armed supporters of the two rival factions.

A group known as The Quartet, which includes the United Nations (UN), the EU, the U.S. and Russia, established four preconditions to Hamas: disarming, recognizing Israel, rejecting terror and changing the organization's charter.

On Feb. 8 in Saudi Arabia, Hamas and Fatah leaders reached an accord which sets the guidelines for a power-sharing administration, headed by Hamas, which would "respect" past peace agreements with Israel. In all, Hamas would control eight cabinet positions, with Fatah taking five. Three key portfolios—finance, interior and foreign affairs—would be handled by independents.The new coalition government was sworn in on Mar. 17. Both the EU and the U.S. have said they would not recognize the new administration until Hamas accepts the Quartet's conditions.

On Mar. 22, Fatah said that Hamas security forces fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the northern Gaza home of a senior commander of Fatah's Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, killing one of the armed wing's members. It was the first clash between Hamas and Fatah armed loyalists since the unity government was formed. Fatah spokesman Abdel Hakim Awad claimed the incident was planned and said there would be "grave consequences" if Hamas carried out more attacks.

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