Hamas has reemerged in Gaza, asserting control and clashing with rival groups as Israel withdraws. The group says it aims to restore order, but its forceful tactics risk unsettling the fragile ceasefire.
Security forces loyal to Hamas now patrol Gaza’s streets again. They have fought armed gangs and carried out deadly operations against what they call “criminal elements.” The return of authority has brought a mix of relief and fear. Some Palestinians welcome stability after months of chaos. Others worry the militant group’s resurgence will reignite conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists the war will not end until Hamas is dismantled. U.S. President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan requires Hamas to disarm and hand power to an international body. But that transition remains theoretical — and uncertain.
Hamas leaders say they will cooperate with other Palestinian factions but reject “anarchy.” Their message is clear: they will not step aside while Gaza falls into criminal disorder.
Breakdown in Security
After Israel’s offensive, Hamas’ once-powerful police force collapsed. Many officers went into hiding as airstrikes targeted them. Armed families and criminal gangs quickly filled the vacuum.
Some groups allegedly received Israeli backing. They hijacked aid convoys, robbed homes, and sold stolen goods amid Gaza’s humanitarian collapse. Nahed Sheheiber, head of Gaza’s truckers union, said Hamas now targets “gangs that looted and killed under the protection of occupation forces.”
Over the weekend, Hamas fighters clashed with a notorious militia in Gaza City tied to the Doghmush family. The violence erupted after the killing of Hamas member Mohammed Aqel. Residents said the gang robbed aid and killed civilians in Israeli-controlled zones.
Hamas-linked channels claimed victory, saying they eliminated “collaborators and traitors.” But rights groups condemned the killings as extrajudicial. The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights urged Hamas to end “street executions” and follow the law.
The Doghmush family first distanced itself from the gang, then accused Hamas of brutality. Their statement warned against “revenge disguised as justice.”
A Fragile Calm and Signs of Order
Despite the bloodshed, some Gazans welcome Hamas’ return. Saeed Abu Elaish, a medic from Jabaliya camp, said police patrols bring “a small sense of safety” after two years of war. “At least someone is trying to restore order,” he said.
The Hamas-run Interior Ministry has offered a weeklong amnesty. Gang members who surrender and are not involved in killings can clear their records. Those who refuse face arrest or execution. “No one will undermine public security again,” the ministry declared.
Still, challenges remain. Netanyahu warns he will resume military action if Hamas keeps its weapons. Trump said Hamas “took out a couple of bad gangs,” but he insists they must disarm — peacefully or by force.
Rival Militias and Israeli Links
Anti-Hamas militias are growing in areas still under Israeli control. Hossam al-Astal, a southern Gaza militia leader, mocked Hamas in a Facebook post, calling them “rats in tunnels.” His group, accused of drug smuggling before the war, now operates openly with Israeli tolerance.
Another leader, Yasser Abu Shabab, controls parts of Rafah. His fighters have looted aid convoys but maintain coordination with Israeli forces. Israel acknowledges working with such factions to weaken Hamas but denies supporting looting.
These rival groups complicate ceasefire talks. Arab mediators say Hamas may agree to hand over rockets and heavy arms to a Palestinian or Arab body but wants to keep light weapons for “self-defense.”
The presence of pro-Israel militias and Hamas’ determination to retain influence both threaten the U.S.-brokered truce. Gaza’s future governance remains uncertain, and with every clash, peace appears more fragile.
Leave a Reply