The popularity of the Hamas militant group has fallen far behind rival Fatah, according to an opinion poll released on Monday, with Palestinians overwhelmingly opposed to the Islamic group’s tactics in the Gaza Strip.

Hundreds of Fatah gunmen today stormed Hamas-controlled institutions across the West Bank, seeking revenge for the Islamic group’s takeover of the Gaza Strip, while Hamas forces blew up the home of a prominent Fatah family and deployed at strategic locations to solidify their control of Gaza.

The Islamic militant group Hamas said today it would double the size of its paramilitary force in Gaza, defying President Mahmoud Abbas’ decision to outlaw the unit and raising the stakes in an increasingly bloody power struggle between the two rivals.