What's happened
Since the ceasefire began on Friday, Hamas has moved cautiously to re-establish authority in Gaza, deploying fighters, executing suspected collaborators, and clashing with rival groups. Recent violence includes public executions and internal security operations, with U.S. and Israeli demands for disarmament remaining unresolved. The situation remains volatile.
What's behind the headline?
Hamas's cautious return to Gaza's streets indicates a fragile hold on power, strained further by internal clan conflicts and opposition militias. The group's deployment of security forces and public executions suggest an attempt to reassert authority amid ongoing challenges. The U.S. plan for a demilitarized Gaza under international supervision, coupled with Trump's suggestion that Hamas has a temporary police role, signals a complex transition phase. The internal clashes with clans like Yasser Abu Shabab's and Hussam al-Astal's groups reveal a deeper fragmentation within Gaza's power structure. This internal instability, combined with external pressures, will likely lead to continued violence and political uncertainty, risking a return to chaos if Hamas cannot consolidate control or reach a broader political agreement.
What the papers say
The New York Post reports graphic executions and Hamas's efforts to reassert control, highlighting recent violence and internal clashes. The Japan Times provides context on Hamas's weakened state post-Israel's military campaign and its cautious return to street operations, emphasizing internal challenges from clans and militias. The South China Morning Post details Hamas's deployment of forces, executions of collaborators, and internal conflicts with clans like Abu Shabab and al-Astal, illustrating the group's fragile grip amid ongoing violence. The Times of Israel echoes these points, noting Hamas's limited patrols, internal clashes, and the broader political landscape, including Netanyahu's stance on Gaza's future governance. All sources underscore the volatile and contested nature of Hamas's authority in Gaza, with internal divisions and external pressures shaping the current crisis.
How we got here
Hamas has been weakened by Israel's military campaign following the October 2023 attacks. Since the ceasefire, Hamas has sought to reassert control over Gaza, facing internal challenges from clans and militias opposed to its rule. The U.S. and Israel continue to demand disarmament, complicating Hamas's efforts to stabilize the territory and prepare for future governance.
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Common question
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What Does Hamas's Reassertion of Control Mean After the Gaza Ceasefire?
Following the recent ceasefire in Gaza, questions are swirling about what Hamas's renewed control signifies for the region's stability. Is Gaza heading towards peace, or are internal conflicts and external pressures still threatening its future? Here are some key questions and answers to help you understand the current situation and what might come next for Gaza.
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Stay updated with the top headlines shaping the world today. From international tensions over technology to local tragedies, these stories are crucial to understanding current events. Curious about how these events connect or what they mean for you? Read on for clear, concise answers to your most pressing questions.
More on these topics
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Gaza most commonly refers to:
Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Gaza City, a city in the Gaza Strip
Gaza may also refer to: