Add this break between Hamas leadership in Gaza and Hamas leadership abroad to the better known split between Hamas and Fatah, and you’ve got yourself a real challenge when it comes to figuring out who represents the Palestinian people:

There has also been a widening rift between Hamas leaders in Gaza and those abroad. Palestinian analysts say Meshal recently realized that the Gaza leadership was determined to prevent his reappointment and decided instead to preempt them and quit.

Haniyeh and his men decided to prove to the organization’s leaders who recently fled Damascus they could no longer impose their decisions on Gaza.

The Gaza leadership’s position was bolstered by the realization that Meshal was trying to change Hamas’ struggle strategy and lead it to an historic reconciliation with Fatah, while concentrating its energies on an Arab Spring-type struggle. Haniyeh, meanwhile, is sticking to his former stance, demanding to close ranks with Islamic Jihad.

More here.