What's happened
Since last month’s ceasefire, Hamas has regained influence in Gaza, reestablishing control over areas from which Israel withdrew. The group is monitoring imports, levying fees, and denying reports of taxing cigarettes and fuel. International efforts for a transitional government face delays amid ongoing conflict and territorial divisions.
What's behind the headline?
Hamas’s actions demonstrate a strategic effort to solidify its grip on Gaza amid international pressure for disarmament and governance reform. The group’s monitoring and levying of fees on imports serve to reinforce its control, despite denying tax allegations. The international community’s delay in establishing a new government allows Hamas to entrench itself further, making future negotiations more complex. The ongoing territorial division, with Israeli forces still present in much of Gaza, indicates that a comprehensive resolution remains distant. This situation will likely lead to prolonged instability, with Hamas consolidating power and external actors struggling to find a viable political solution.
What the papers say
The Japan Times highlights Hamas’s reassertion of control and the international demand for disarmament, while The New Arab and The Times of Israel provide detailed accounts of Hamas’s economic monitoring and political stance. Reuters emphasizes the ongoing territorial division and the faltering US plan. The contrasting narratives reflect the complexity of Gaza’s political landscape, with some sources denying Hamas’s taxing activities and others describing a tightening grip that complicates peace efforts.
How we got here
Following Israel's withdrawal from parts of Gaza, Hamas quickly reasserted control, targeting suspected collaborators and controlling economic activities. The ceasefire in October aimed to stabilize the region, with the US plan proposing a transitional authority and disarmament. However, Israeli forces remain deployed, and efforts to implement the plan are faltering, deepening Gaza’s de facto partition. Political disagreements persist between Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and Israel, complicating governance and peace prospects.
Go deeper
Common question
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How has Hamas reasserted control in Gaza?
Since last month’s ceasefire, Hamas has regained influence in Gaza, reestablishing control over key areas following Israel’s withdrawal. This shift raises questions about the current political landscape, the role of international efforts, and what this means for future stability. Below, we explore how Hamas has reasserted control, the international response, and the implications for Gaza and Israel relations.
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Mahmoud Abbas, also known by the kunya Abu Mazen, is the President of the State of Palestine and Palestinian National Authority.
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