A Perfect Storm ... IMHO

[RoccoR]

et al,

Relative to the OP #1 (by SAYIT), and in particular the observation that: "ISIS drawing more attention from both the Arab World and the international community;" --- AND --- the recent connections between the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, ISIS, IS) questions are arising. As Egypt carries the air war to ISIS in Libya, what we see is the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) warning Italy not to embark on a military intervention in Libya.

ISIS Wild Card​

While the likelihood is that Hamas and Fatah are slowly returning to all-out war, there is a chance that Islamic State (ISIS) is behind some of the attacks, possibly fanning the flames between the two so as to advance its own position in Gaza, Judea and Samaria.​

In the bombing of Sheikh Sami Hams's car over a week ago, it was reported that he had recently delivered a critical sermon against ISIS, feasibly raising their ire and sparking the attack.

ISIS hinted in a publication distributed in Gaza, Judea and Samaria last month that it intends to depose Hamas and the PA.
​

ISIS Hints it wants to Depose HAMAS and the PA

The Islamic State (ISIS) branch in "Bayt al-Maqdis," an Arabization of the Hebrew Holy Temple and a term for Jerusalem, has started distributing publications explaining ISIS's platform, in a campaign to expand its influence in Gaza, Judea and Samaria.​

From the statement, it can be inferred that ISIS is calling for its followers to attack the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Judea and Samaria, and Hamas in Gaza, framing such a coup as a religious command.​

(CRITICAL MASS)

If the Palestinians allow ISIS to gain a foothold in the Occupied Territories or Gaza, that will put ISIS on two sides of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and a short jump away from Lebanon, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Already there are reports that "ISIS in Gaza has joined Hamas and Fatah in silencing Palestinian journalists in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Reporters are receiving death threats."

Most Respectfully,
R

 

[RoccoR]

et al,

I thought this was kind of interesting.

Hamas and Iran said to be renewing ties
Elior Levy Published: 02.17.15,

Khald Mashal, the head of the Hamas political bureau, met with Iran's Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani several days after the end of Operation Protective Edge, pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat reported on Tuesday.

The covert meeting between the two was reportedly held in Turkey, with Mashal meeting Soleimani only after receiving authorization from the other members of the Hamas political bureau.

Relations between the Gaza rulers and Iran strained over Hamas' support of Syrian rebels fighting to overthrow Tehran's ally Bashar Assad. But according to the paper, ties between Iran and Hamas have returned to normal and that there has been a positive atmosphere between the two sides even though some issues remain unresolved.​

v/r
R

 

[RandomVariable]

et al,

I thought this was kind of interesting.

Hamas and Iran said to be renewing ties
Elior Levy Published: 02.17.15,

Khald Mashal, the head of the Hamas political bureau, met with Iran's Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani several days after the end of Operation Protective Edge, pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat reported on Tuesday.

The covert meeting between the two was reportedly held in Turkey, with Mashal meeting Soleimani only after receiving authorization from the other members of the Hamas political bureau.

Relations between the Gaza rulers and Iran strained over Hamas' support of Syrian rebels fighting to overthrow Tehran's ally Bashar Assad. But according to the paper, ties between Iran and Hamas have returned to normal and that there has been a positive atmosphere between the two sides even though some issues remain unresolved.​

v/r
R

I did not know Iran and Hamas previously had ties. The dynamics in the Middle East are really weird lately. The U.S. did itself a great disservice by burning its bridge with Egypt. I believe most in the Middle East are aware Mossad and the CIA something, if not everything, to do with the creation of ISIS. That makes Middle East countries scratching their heads about what to make of this new reality. Egypt's strike on ISIS in Libya might have been the start of a whole new era. One where the Middle East decides it is safer without the U.S.'s assistance. Where does this leave Israel? Maybe perceived as the U.S.'s largest military base in the Middle East it might be in dire straits. Saudi Arabia is an odd one. While on one hand I believe the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are seemingly inextricably connected Saudi Arabia might be sending subtle signals to the rest of the Middle East that they are not quite so in bed with the U.S. as they once were. A connection with the U.S. makes Saudi Arabia much more vulnerable to ISIS aggression where as Saudi Arabia without the U.S. are much more aligned with ISIS. One last item is Turkey. I think that fact that the meeting between Soleimani and Mashal was held in Turkey was also a very dark omen. This biggest thorn in Turkey's paw is Kurdistan. The U.S. performing airstrikes against Sunni ISIS to protect Kurds must have initiated some deep contemplation inside Turkey for sure. OK, maybe just one more item. I see what happens in the Ukraine in the next few weeks, even few days, plays largely into the Middle East dynamics. If Ukraine's President Poroshenko backs down it is a huge defeat for the U.S., the first of its kind. If Poroshenko does not back down and the U.S. supplies weapons to Poroshenko there is a huge war to keep the U.S. busy. Either way the Middle East will feel the great weight of America's threatening eye in the Middle East averted for the first time ever, at least since the beginning of the Cold War. The immediate question for the Middle East will be of course, what to do about ISIS.

 

[SAYIT]

Back to the subject matter of the OP ...

UNRWA, the UN agency complicit in stashing Hamas weapons in their Gaza "schools," is struggling to remain relevant (and solvent) as their actions and policies are being scrutinized. Additionally, promised funding has once again not been delivered:

UNRWA needs $100 million in urgent relief in the first quarter of this year to enable it to help repair homes destroyed during Israel's war on the Gaza Strip last summer, the organisation announced yesterday.

The UN agency said it had received only $135 million of the $724 million needed to reconstruct the enclave. This has led to thousands of displaced people being forced to live in shelters through the winter.

UNRWA announced last month the suspension of its monetary aid programme, which funds repairing houses and provides rental subsidies for refugee families in Gaza...

Last October, Arab and international countries pledged to donate $5.4 billion to help with the reconstruction of Gaza and provide for the needs of Palestinians.

The agency said: "$5.4 billion was pledged at the Cairo aid conference last October and virtually none of it has reached Gaza," describing the situation as "distressing and unacceptable".

UNRWA needs 100m in urgent relief to repair Gaza homes