What do you think the tipoff was? We were ready to sign off on that theory after Iranian proxy Hamas soldiers rolled Fatah in the Gaza Strip and then promised to take over the West Bank and suspend Annapolis. But maybe they just needed another hint:

Syria and Iran have stepped up their efforts to overthrow Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his ruling Fatah party, PA officials in Ramallah told The Jerusalem Post Monday. The officials accused the Syrians and Iranians of "encouraging" Hamas and other radical Palestinian groups to establish a new organization that would replace the PLO. They also accused the two countries of continuing to provide Hamas and its allies in the Gaza Strip with millions of dollars and weapons. The officials pointed out that in the context of their efforts to overthrow Abbas's regime in the West Bank, Damascus and Teheran have encouraged Hamas and 10 other radical groups to meet in the Syrian capital on January 23 to discuss forming a new PLO and increasing their terror attacks on Israel. "Syria and Iran are working toward undermining the PLO and President Abbas," a senior Palestinian official in Ramallah told the Post. "They want to help Hamas extend its control to the West Bank. They are pouring millions of dollars into Hamas and its friends."

You know what's weird about this? It's that just a week ago Abbas was saying that he agrees that Fatah isn't an alternative to Hamas. And that, by the by, was only a week or so after high-ranking Fatah members explicitly embraced Hamas diplomatically and militarily. At least the Israelis aren't the only ones regularly aiding, supporting, and making concessions to people who want to kill them.

Incidentally - if even the Palestinians say that they're about to have a civil war, wouldn't it be a good idea for Israel to not make concessions for a few weeks? Just on the off-chance that Fatah soldiers get rolled by Hamas? Crazy as that sounds.

References:
* Hamas: Oh By The Way, We're Totally Going To Ignore Annapolis When We Roll Over The West Bank [MR]
* PA: Syria, Iran trying to overthrow Abbas and Fatah [JPost]
* Abbas Reverses Pre-Annapolis Position, Calls For Reconciliation With Hamas: "No Way" Fatah Is An Alternative To Hamas [MR]
* Hamas And Fatah: Any Compromise On Any Part Of Jerusalem Is Treason (Plus: Blair: Peace Deal Within A Year) (Updated: Eloquent And Prescient Reuters Picture Of The Year) [MR]
* Fatah: We're Going To Use Our New US And Russian-Supplied Weapons To Fight With Hamas Against Israel (Plus: Hamas Upgrades, Stockpiles Their Qassams) [MR]

Previously:
* British Intelligence: Iran Giving Bombs To The Taliban
* Egypt Opens Border Crossing, Allows Hamas To Smuggle In Money
* Iran, Hamas, And Islamic Jihad Meet In Syria To Plan Mideast Turmoil

Cross-posted to:
* Israpundit