Is this a concerted attempt by Hamas to seize power in Gaza?

This has all the signs of a co-ordinated move to take control of security in the Gaza Strip. It seems as though the Hamas leaders are very well armed and co-ordinated as they advance. They have claimed control of more than half of Gaza. They are seizing the strategic positions such as security checkpoints, roads and more than a dozen Government buildings.

Does it have total control?

Gaza is a very chaotic place. In and around the presidential compounds in Gaza City and one or two other neighbourhoods control is still disputed, but most of Gaza is now under Hamas control, and in those areas, there is calm.

Blockade drains life from Gaza

The movement of goods into Gaza had been intermittent at best since Hamas won Palestinian elections early last year

Multimedia

• Pictures: Johnston is released

• Video: unarmed protester confronts gunman in Gaza

• Pictures: life in Gaza

Background

• Q&A: Hamas and Gaza

• 97 days and counting for BBC's man in Gaza

• Now war is with the enemy within

• The little girl trapped by a quirk of war

Related Links

• Government on brink as Gaza civil war looms

Most Fatah leaders are no longer in Gaza, the remaining battles are mostly against the remaining loyalists. We seem to have entered the end game, with Hamas poised for some kind of victory in Gaza.

What would happen if Hamas governed Gaza?

It would have huge consequences. If Hamas takes control there would, in effect, be two Palestinian territories with completely different policies. One isolated and shunned by Israel and the West and the other willing to engage in international diplomacy. It would be a significant blow to hopes for the Middle East peace process.

The Palestinian Authority would effectively have collapsed as it is supposed to control all of the Palestinian territories.

The fear is that Hamas would try to impose Islamist law in Gaza, which would prompt many Palestinians to flee Gaza.

How would Israel react?

Israel has said it doesn't want to get drawn into an internal conflict. But its leaders have said that they are concerned at the rise of Hamas. The Government would not deal with Hamas officials directly and would attempt to isolate Gaza financially and politically.

Can anything be done to prevent Hamas taking full control of Gaza?

President Abbas does have the power to dissolve the Government and declare military rule, but he does not have the popular support he would need for such a dramatic move.

There is no indication that implementing emergency laws would actually improve the situation, and it may lead to further deterioration.

President Abbas could look abroad for help, but there has been no suggestion so far that he will request foreign military assistance to fight Hamas.

Egypt has brokered probably a dozen truces in the last month of fighting, but things have really gone past the point of no return.

Explore World News

• Iraq News

• US & Americas News

• Europe News

• Middle East News

• Asia News

• Africa News

Times Recommends

• Disease fears realised in cyclone aftermath
• First review: Sex and the City
• BlackBerry v the super smartphones