In the aftermath of the 2023 massacre of Israeli civilians, the militant group Hamas, which brought nothing but devastation and death to the people of Gaza, is now resorting to further violence to maintain control as a ceasefire with Israel takes effect.
According to Reuters, the group has reportedly killed over 30 individuals in its fight against rivals. The news agency detailed a violent encounter in Gaza City between Hamas and a gang opposed to its rule, which resulted in the death of 32 gang members and six Hamas fighters. Concurrently, disturbing footage circulating on social media depicted men dressed in Hamas attire publicly executing three men, who were labeled as "collaborators" by a surrounding crowd.
As reported by The Western Journal, the ceasefire has created an unprecedented power vacuum in Gaza, with some residents expressing their belief that Hamas should no longer govern. Hussam al-Astal, a prominent anti-Hamas figure in Khan Younis, taunted the group in a recent video, asserting that once Israeli hostages are released, Hamas will have no further role in Gaza.
Fox News has suggested that the public executions are a tactic employed by Hamas to intimidate the populace of Gaza, as fighters who survived the Israeli attacks emerge from hiding. An Israeli official condemned these killings as "Hamas's deliberate attempt to show the killing publicly and reestablish its rule by terrorizing civilians."
However, Mukhaimar Abu Saada, a political analyst from Gaza, cautioned that ending the internal Palestinian conflict "won't happen quickly." He described Hamas as an ideological organization and noted that clashes between the group and local militias continue. Despite the recent violence, he observed that Hamas remains a strong presence in Gaza, having preserved some of its manpower and weaponry for the post-ceasefire period.
Abu Saada also emphasized the necessity for Hamas to disarm as part of the peace plan developed under the leadership of President Donald Trump. He stated, "No Arab country will give a single dollar if Hamas doesn't disarm. Rebuilding Gaza depends on Hamas no longer being in control. The war is over, but the real test is only beginning."
A Gaza resident, who chose to remain anonymous, told Fox News that the struggle for power is far from over. He expressed concern about the potential for another war if unity is not achieved and questioned the strength of the remaining Hamas forces, suggesting that they are primarily police officers rather than the hardcore believers in the group's extremist jihadist ideology.
The current situation in Gaza is marked by uncertainty. A resident of Gaza City expressed his confusion about the future, saying, "No one knows what is happening who will rule, what will happen with Hamas, and if the war is truly over." He voiced his hope for a peaceful future devoid of bloodshed for himself and his family.
Jacob Olidort, director of the Center for American Security at the America First Policy Institute, noted that Hamas is currently in its most isolated position, both militarily and diplomatically. He stated, "Even before and after the release of hostages, Hamas has been defiant in tone. But all of that will be overshadowed by the vast expansion of peace agreements between Israel and its neighbors. All of Israels regional partners are eager to normalize and build on where they left off prior to Oct 7."
As Gaza grapples with the aftermath of the conflict and the uncertainty of the future, the people's desire for peace and stability remains the constant amidst the chaos. The question of whether they will tolerate Hamas's continued rule or rise against it remains unanswered.
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