Actually, Hamas is popular with the people because their politicians run on a platform of smaller govt. with less waste and rooting out corruption. Fatah was about as rotten as an old lightning-blasted tree and the people were tired of it. Hamas has held offices at the local levels for some time now, and have been slowly replacing other parties. They have done a remarkably good job of it too. The majority of the offices in the city of Bethlehem and several in Jerusalem are held by Hamas politicians. I say see what they do. They may bluster for a bit about Israel, but if they really have the best interests of their people at heart, they'll put up their guns.