Consider this recent sequence of events:

Under heavy international pressure, Yasser Arafat appoints a prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas.

Abbas, with Israeli and American support, and despite ferocious opposition from Arafat, insists on naming the PA's former Gaza security chief, Mohammed Dahlan, as minister of state for security affairs. Dahlan was in charge of the PA's crackdown on Hamas in 1996.

Hamas pulls out of talks with Abbas on a proposed ceasefire with Israel.

Israel launches a spate of rather well-scouted missile attacks on high-level Hamas operatives in Gaza.

Hmm....