The level of violence in the streets is already rising to the level of an explosion, and the explosion may be fast and sweeping. Hamas will try in the coming days to belittle Abbas' declaration. They will do so by mediating between the factions and through the pressure in the street and an escalation of the physical and verbal attacks. On the other side, the Hamas-led government will continue to convey "business as usual."
Hamas activists told Ynet that one of the ideas the movement will discuss is that if a unity government is not formed in the coming weeks, they will completely ignore the intention to hold elections, claiming that the declaration "is illegal." "We will continue to operate in the government and in the Legislative Council until the end of the four years, and Abbas' advisors should bear responsibility for the existence of two Palestinian authorities, two parliaments and two government," a Hamas member said.
There is a slim chance for such a scenario, but Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal has began building an infrastructure for a new PLO in Damascus, along with rebels from Fatah headed by Faruk Kadumi, a member of the movement's leadership and Abbas' bitter rival. If the model succeeds, Hamas may create institutions parallel to the PA, the government and the Legislative Council.
Hamas officials are conveying the message that they are not afraid of elections and will win any election campaign. This claim is strongly supported by reality and the situation in the Palestinian street. Hamas is transferring funds to the street, particularly to its supporters and their associates.
The dozens of government workers have already received a significant part of the salaries and the unwillingness to recognize Israel is still widely supported by the majority of the Palestinian public.
I am not sure I give this scenario the slim chance that the Ynet News report gives it. If Hamas is able to attract and rally the disenfranchised element within Fatah this might have a better than slim chance of working. If Kaddoumi’s already on board then it potentially becomes a very plausible alternative and offers a viable alternative to large element within Fatah who are disenchanted with the leadership of Abbas and the general direction of Fatah, but don’t want to fully commit to a pure Hamas agenda.
Even if the unity shadow government of a Hamas-Fatah coalition fails to establish viable alternative institutions of governance and Abbas proceeds to name the date for a general election; Hamas has a huge propaganda edge. Hamas will be able to cast the blame for the failure of adequate governance within the PA on the obstructionist mindset of Abbas led Fatah fraction rather than Hamas’ inability to compromise. It would also effectively portray Abbas as nothing more than the dupe/lackey of Americans/Israelis interests.
A very slick political move all around by Hamas.
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