Hamas's real enemies

In response to this, Tariq Alhomayed, a Saudi who is editor-in-chief of the newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat , describes Hamas as Iran's tool, and argues that "Iran is a real threat to Arab security."

Egypt's foreign minister, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, agrees - and he is not alone. When Arab states met to discuss the Gaza crisis, Saudi Arabia vetoed any action. Even the Palestinian Authority (PA) blames Hamas for the fighting. Activists in Fatah, Hamas's nationalist rival, which runs the PA, make no secret of their hope that Hamas loses the war.