Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh with Palestinian children.

Public support for terror group Hamas in the West Bank has only increased since Operation Protective Edge in Gaza, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah is struggling to keep up, Israel’s Channel 2 News reported Tuesday.

There are those in Jenin, in northern Samaria (the West Bank) who are calling on the Gaza-based Islamic group to resume rocket fire on Israel.

While the Gaza war is over, the war for hearts and minds – at least in the streets and alleyways of the West Bank – is in full swing.

“The homes that were destroyed are unimportant,” one resident told the reporter, referring to the massive, focused Israeli airstrikes on Hamas nerve centers in selected areas, during the 50 days of fighting. “Abu Mazen is a spy,” another said, using Abbas’ nom de guerre.

Several thousand people on Monday rallied against Hamas in front of the Muqata headquarters in Jenin, and, some, at least, seemed ready for a fight against the rival Hamas.

“What kind of fight was that? What kind of victory?” Fatah supporter Nidal El Cid said against Hamas.

“Victory over the bodies of children and old people, 2,000 martyrs, while hiding under the ground? One more such victory, and not a single person will remain of the Palestinian people,” he charged.

On the other hand, Hamas backers were also vocal about their support.

“We wanted to wave the green flag (symbolizing Hamas), but we don’t have any,” Yamoun resident Samar Mahmoud said. “The PA prohibits waving the green flags,” he said.

The rivalry between the organizations hasn’t subsided, especially given the popularity of Hamas in the territories following the war, and the Jenin refugee camp is one of Hamas’ bastions.

According to a survey conducted two weeks ago, 61 percent of the West Bank’s population support Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and slightly more than half – only 32 percent – said they would give their vote to Abbas. And for the first time in years, most of the West Bank, 72%, are in favor of armed attacks on Israel.

“I support Hamas,” said Jenin resident, Majid.

“Our message to the Al Qassam Brigades in Jenin is: We support you and urge you to fire at Israel, Tel Aviv and Haifa, with the help of Allah,” he said.

His friend added that, “the demolished houses are unimportant, they’ll be rebuilt. The important thing is guarding our dignity! Allahu Akbar.”

If Hamas flags are forbidden in Jenin, however, Hamas and Islamic Jihad flags are the only ones seen at a nearby camp. A model rocket hung at the entrance to the camp, made their orientation clear.

“We will go hand-in-hand with Hamas,” said one of the children of the camp. “They will free Palestine, while the spy Abu Mazen cooperates with Israel on security.”

Meanwhile, PA security officials are holding their breath that sympathy and support for Hamas is a passing phenomena, and will subside as after previous Israeli military clashes with Gaza terrorists.

Watch the report below: