Both Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas have been elected by the Palestinian people. Why then are they slaughtering each other? Hamas has been known for its extreme violence against Israeli civilians. But its violence is not solely directed at Israelis. During recent fighting for control of Gaza, Human Rights Watch, an independent human rights group, accused Hamas of "violations of international humanitarian law, in some cases amounting to war crimes." These crimes include killing of non-combatants, killing the sick inside hospitals and summary executions of Palestinians supporting Fatah.

The latest troubling sign that Hamas is trying to extend its terror to the supporters of Fatah came into spotlight on July 24 when supporters of Hamas and Fatah clashed at a university campus at Nablus in West Bank. The latest clash at An Najah National University was the biggest between rival Palestinian factions since the fall of Gaza to Hamas last month. Hamas supporters opened fire on students supporting President Abbas before the Palestinian security forces intervened. In the clash three were wounded in gunfire.

The confrontation reflected Hamas' determination to expand the conflict in the West Bank. University President Rami Hamdallah held Hamas responsible for the fighting. He said that since the Hamas takeover of Gaza, An Najah has not permitted political activity of students on campus, and that Hamas violated the ban.

It seems that Hamas is trying to bring its war against Fatah to the West Bank where President Mahmoud Abbas enjoys greater support. However, Hamas is better armed and far more ruthless and if not contained, renewed violence will erupt across the West Bank. It is becoming increasingly clear that if the Palestinians continue to slaughter each other, there will be no peace in the region. It is imperative that either Hamas must give up its attacks on the Palestinians or it should be marginalised by the international community.

Palestinians must stop slaughtering each other if they want peace.