Hamas

In what many see as a coup d'etat, Hamas, which won parliamentary elections in 2006, is believed to control much of Gaza. Earlier today, the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, declared a state of emergency, and dissolved the parliament, reverting all constitutional authority to him.

As of now, Hamas has declared they now control the compound where the Abbas is staying. If Hamas controls the presidential compound, they, in essence, control the government. It is reported, also, that Hamas sees this as the first step of declaring an independent Palestinian nation, which is something Abbas, along with his Fatah Party, has been unwilling to do.

The European Union has suspended all funds to the region, which total $112 million, along with all aid projects, because of the continuing violence and the uncertainty of the position of the elected government.

This appears to be another situation Israel might have to step in and resolve, since it is a direct threat to their national security.