Why did Hamas take control of the Gaza Strip in 2007?
Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007 following a period of escalating violence and political instability between it and Fatah.21
The tension originated after Hamas won a surprise victory in the 2006 Palestinian Authority parliamentary elections, defeating Fatah, which had long dominated Palestinian politics. This loss for Fatah was largely attributed to widespread public dissatisfaction with its governance, which was frequently criticized as inefficient and corrupt.234
Following the election, the two groups formed a tenuous coalition government, but this arrangement was undermined by intense power struggles and violent clashes between their respective forces in the Gaza Strip. In response to the escalating conflict, PA President Mahmoud Abbas dissolved the Hamas-led government and declared a state of emergency. This led to a split in administration, with Hamas maintaining control over the Gaza Strip while a Fatah-led emergency cabinet took control of the West Bank.214