On Jan. 13, after Hamas leaders met with local militant groups, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh issued an order for all rocket attacks against Israel to cease and for militant groups operating in Gaza to enforce a de facto cease-fire that Hamas instituted in January 2009. Ever since it formally became a part of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) through a landslide victory in 2006 elections and seized control of the Gaza Strip in a 2007 coup, Hamas has publically dialed back its direct attacks against Israel. Instead, it has preferred to rely on front groups to carry out attacks whenever the need arises to increase pressure on the Israeli government. But Hamas' more political stance has widened rifts between Hamas and its rival militant groups, which are striving to fill the void in resisting Israel and upholding the militant Palestinian banner.