Hamas Reorganizes and Maintains Control in Gaza Despite Ceasefire

More than 1,000 days after the October 7 massacre, Hamas continues to dominate Gaza, using the current ceasefire to rebuild its command centers and tighten control over the population. According to testimonies collected by N12 from Gaza residents, Hamas militants operate covertly, disguising themselves as civilians to avoid Israeli airstrikes while suppressing dissent and investigating locals. A Gaza resident identified as M described Hamas’s actions as a natural effort to reestablish authority, including arrests and interrogations, and emphasized that Hamas refuses to disarm despite agreements.

M criticized Israel’s lack of a civilian management plan in Gaza, which allows Hamas to use civilians as human shields, prolonging the conflict. He suggested relocating civilians to safer areas under Israeli control to separate them from Hamas operatives. Another resident, A, expressed widespread fear and exhaustion among Gazans, noting that Hamas violently crushed protests against its rule and that many Palestinians are now considering emigration due to the bleak situation.

Hamas militants have largely disappeared from public view, avoiding open patrols and instead monitoring the population from hidden positions, especially at night, to evade Israeli intelligence and air force attacks. Despite this, Hamas continues to enforce its authority through targeted violence and intimidation. Gaza’s residents also face severe economic hardships, with soaring prices and limited aid worsening daily life.

The overall picture from Gaza is one of a deeply entrenched Hamas presence that remains the sole power in the territory, with no alternative authority filling any vacuum. The ceasefire has allowed Hamas to regroup and maintain its grip, raising concerns about the potential for renewed conflict.