Hamas Signals Rebirth: Police Deployment and Fund Allocation in Post-Israeli Gaza
Hamas has begun deploying police forces and making partial salary payments to civil servants in Gaza City, raising concerns about the group’s resurgence in areas recently vacated by Israeli forces.
Despite Israel’s intense air and ground campaign over the past four months, signs of Hamas’ resilience are becoming evident.
Police Deployment in Gaza City
The deployment of police officers, both uniformed and plainclothes, near key locations such as police headquarters, government offices, and Shifa Hospital, suggests an attempt by Hamas to reinstate order in the war-torn city.
This move comes after Israel withdrew a significant number of troops from northern Gaza last month.
According to a Hamas official who spoke anonymously to the Associated Press, the group’s leaders are directing efforts to reestablish order in the north, preventing looting and providing stability in the aftermath of Israeli evacuations.
Israeli forces, reacting to these developments, have renewed strikes in the western and northwestern parts of Gaza City, where the return of civil servants has been reported. The volatile situation has led to Israeli airstrikes near makeshift offices, highlighting the ongoing tensions.
Despite Israel’s claims of dealing significant blows to Hamas during its military offensive, the recent partial salary payments of $200 to government employees, including police officers and municipal workers, indicate that Hamas remains operational.
The payments were distributed from a makeshift Hamas office near Shifa Hospital, emphasizing the group’s ability to adapt amid conflict.
Hamas Resilience defends Israeli Claims
Residents of Gaza City, such as Saeed Abdel-Bar, reported firsthand accounts of relatives receiving funds from these makeshift offices. The resilience displayed by Hamas challenges Israel’s assertions of a decisive victory, particularly as the conflict continues to impact civilian infrastructure and lives.
While Israel targeted the command structure of Hamas battalions in the north during its ground offensive, individual fighters are still carrying out guerrilla-style attacks.
Recent airstrikes in Rafah, resulting in at least 17 casualties, underscore the ongoing violence in southern Gaza.
The group which has ruled Gaza for nearly 17 years, operates a substantial government bureaucracy with tens of thousands of civil servants.
The partial salary payments suggest that, despite the challenges posed by Israel, Hamas remains functional and capable of providing financial support to its employees.
The situation is complex, with international mediators working on a proposed ceasefire deal. However, the recent developments highlight the deep-rooted challenges and the continuing impact of the conflict on the civilian population in Gaza.
