Gazans, Syrians both torn as Hamas restores ties with Syrian regime
Hamas has announced the restoration of relations with the Syrian government, but Hamas circles are not in agreement on the news.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hamas' Sept. 15 announcement of restored relations with the Syrian government sparked controversy both within and outside the movement. While some Arab countries supported Hamas’ decision, others panned it.
By the end of 2011, Hamas had left its offices in Damascus in the wake of the Syrian uprising as relations with the Syrian government deteriorated over the movement’s support for the popular Syrian protests.
President Bashar al-Assad’s government had long supported Hamas before the revolution. Damascus considered the position of Hamas, which was headed by Khaled Meshaal at the time, a stab in the back. The government confiscated all of the movement’s properties in Syria and imprisoned a number of its members.
Even Syria’s allies Iran and Hezbollah were angered by Hamas’ positions in support of the Syrian uprising and Tehran suspended its funding for the movement.
