After a startling landslide victory at the polls, the party ponders its future as a legitimate government
In the wake of Hamas' sensational triumph, the region and the international community are puzzling over how to fit it into the tailored garment of a legitimate government.
Puzzling most of all is Hamas itself.
The organisation's request to Fatah to join it in a national unity government even though it has more than enough seats to form a government by itself reflects Hamas' unease about facing the world on its own.
Fatah participation would provide a measure of cover and respectability.
For all their delight at the unexpected victory, the Hamas leadership would have been better served if they had come in a close second behind Fatah as many polls indicated.