Armed Militias in Gaza Present Challenges to the Rule of Hamas

What Happened?

Since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect, a number of armed militias have appeared in Gaza, challenging the continued rule of Hamas. Some of the militias are connected to prominent families in the Gaza area, while others are backed by Israel. These militias are operating in the portions of Gaza not under direct Israeli control, which is a little less than half the total area of the Gaza Strip.

Though none of these militias are mentioned in the U.S.-backed peace plan, they appear to have the support of the Palestinian Authority and Egypt. 

Why it Matters

Despite the shaky ceasefire which has been in place since early October, Hamas has refused calls from the international community to disarm. Gaza’s neighbors, most notably Egypt, have been training and backing an international police force to govern Gaza, an effort clearly intended to dislodge Hamas from its rulership of the Gaza Strip. Hamas will not give up power voluntarily, and these militias, along with the coming international peacekeeping force, suggest a future clash with Hamas fighters is inevitable. 

Egypt is the largest, most populous, and most influential nation in the Levant, and it shares a border with Gaza. The Egyptians have been training and equipping a police force to govern Gaza, and it is likely at least some of the militias there may work in concert with the international effort. That would present a direct challenge to the continued leadership of Hamas, and that group is likely to try to use violent force to retain power.

Reactions among Palestinians have been mixed, with some calling the new militias gangs made up of criminals, while others see them as a necessary part of the effort to prevent Hamas from regaining control of Gaza. For Israel, the militias offer a way to fight Hamas without the direct engagement of the Israeli Defense Force, which means technically those militias could fight Hamas without Israel breaking the terms of the ceasefire deal. 

It is also likely Israel will not relinquish areas of Gaza currently under Israeli control to Hamas, which could give the new militias and the international police force a foothold in the Gaza Strip from which to counter Hamas fighters. In the long run, if the militias and the international police force are able to gain the support of the Palestinian people, they could be in a strong position to prevent Hamas from returning to power.

How it Affects You

If Hamas returns to power in Gaza, then the last two years of war will have been for nothing. The mere presence of armed groups in Gaza openly challenging Hamas indicates that Hamas has been greatly weakened by the war, and that this is a moment with the potential to free Gaza from its oppressive rule for good.