Hamas, the major Palestinian terrorist organizations, said it was ready to take over leadership of the Palestinians from Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority. If there were a fair election, Hamas would probably win. Meanwhile, members of the Palestinian Authority are negotiating with the Israeli government to try and work out a peace deal that would allow Arafat's crew a chance to fend off Hamas. While the Palestinian Authority (without Arafat) is acceptable to Israel, Hamas is more popular because it is less corrupt and more willing to fight Israel. But most Palestinians are getting tired of all the fighting, which is apparently getting them nowhere. But Hamas commands the loyalty of a militant minority of the population that is willing to fight to the death. The Israelis are willing to do just that with the Hamas terrorists.