As a ceasefire in Gaza took effect on Sunday, masked gunmen swarmed in white pickup trucks and paraded through the streets of Gaza as supporters chanted the name of Hamas’s military wing. By deploying its fighters in an unmistakable show of force, Hamas was trying to send a clear message to Palestinians in Gaza, Israel, and the international community. According to government administrators, the Palestinians remain the dominant force in Gaza.
“Hamas is sending a message that it is the day after the war,” said Ibrahim Madhoun, a Turkey-based analyst close to Hamas, referring to the future Gaza government.
He added: “They are telling us that Hamas needs to be part of any future arrangements, or at least adjusted.”
On Sunday, the Hamas-run government media office announced it was starting to deploy thousands of police officers across the territory to “maintain security and order.” The media said government ministries and agencies were ready to begin work “in accordance with the government’s plan to implement all measures that guarantee the return to normal life.”
At least three uniformed police officers stood at the Nasser medical complex in the southern city of Khan Younis as the Palestinian national anthem played in the background, according to a video posted on social media and seen by The New York Times.
Late Sunday, dozens of Hamas militants in uniform and carrying guns were seen next to a car in Saraya Square in Gaza City, before handing over Israeli hostages to the Red Cross. The insurgents were trying to push away the crowd that was rushing into the car.
Although Hamas still controls Gaza and plans to play a key role in its governance, its future there remains uncertain. Israeli officials say they are not abandoning their stated war goal of dismantling Hamas’s military wing and government, strongly hinting that they may resume war with the extremist group after some hostages are released. I am doing it.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Sunday that Hamas’ rule was a danger to Israel’s security, stressing that Israel had not agreed to a permanent ceasefire that would leave Hamas in power.
“We are determined to achieve the objectives of the war,” he said.
Some analysts say Israel could eventually remove Hamas from power, while others say it will be difficult to restart the war in the face of international pressure. And even if that were to happen, analysts say Israeli forces would face enormous challenges in eradicating Hamas from Gaza without directly occupying it.
Ali Jarbawi, a political science professor at Birzeit University, said Sunday’s Hamas parade in Gaza was more than a message to the international community that Hamas rules. They also reflect the reality on the ground, he says.
“Hamas was there before the war and is still there now,” he said.
Aritz Para Contributed to the report.
