Hamas Reasserts Authority Amid Ceasefire: Shaping Gaza's Political Landscape
Hamas Reasserts Authority Amid Ceasefire
Following the ceasefire agreement with Israel in October 2025, Hamas has moved decisively to reestablish its dominance across Gaza’s streets. This assertion signals that despite ongoing tensions and military pressures, Hamas remains the primary governing force within the Gaza Strip. The group's actions send a clear message to rival factions and the international community that it alone commands authority in the territory.
Implications for Regional Peace Efforts
This consolidation of power comes at a critical moment for peace initiatives, notably impacting the prospects of the Trump administration’s peace plan. By demonstrating control, Hamas strengthens its negotiating position but also complicates efforts to foster unity among Palestinian factions and reach a broader settlement with Israel. The group's readiness to confront internal rivals emphasizes the fragile political landscape within Gaza.
Context of Ongoing Conflict
The ceasefire followed intense military campaigns, including Israel's halted offensive in Gaza City. While the truce temporarily reduced violence, Hamas’s recent moves underscore the persistent volatility in the region and the ongoing humanitarian challenges faced by Gaza’s civilian population.
About the Organizations Mentioned
Hamas
**Hamas** is a Sunni Islamist Palestinian nationalist organization that functions both as a political party and a militant group, primarily operating in the Gaza Strip, which it has governed since 2007. Founded in 1987 by Ahmed Yassin amid the First Intifada, Hamas emerged from the Muslim Brotherhood and initially had covert Israeli support as a counterweight to the secular Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)[3][1]. It combines political governance with an armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, committed to armed resistance against Israel, which it refuses to recognize as a legitimate state[1][3]. Hamas’s political rise culminated in a 2006 electoral victory in the Palestinian Legislative Council, campaigning on anti-corruption and resistance platforms. After violently seizing Gaza from the rival Fatah faction in 2007, Hamas has maintained de facto control there despite international isolation and blockades imposed by Israel and Egypt[3]. Its governance has been marked by repeated conflicts with Israel, including major wars in 2008–09, 2012, 2014, 2021, and the ongoing intense conflict triggered by Hamas’s surprise October 2023 attack killing nearly 1,200 Israelis and taking hostages[1][2][3]. Hamas benefits from regional support, especially from Iran, which supplies funding and weapons, as well as financial and political backing from Turkey and Qatar. These alliances form part of a broader "axis of resistance" against Israel, which includes groups like Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad[2]. Hamas also operates fundraising networks globally, sometimes using charities as fronts to support its military activities[4]. The group is designated a terrorist organization by many countries, including the United States, which has increased military aid to Israel following recent escalations[2][6]. Despite modifying its 1988 charter in 2017 to soften some language, Hamas continues to reject Israel’s legitimacy and pursues all forms of resistance[1]. Its enduring political
