Gaza – – Amidst ongoing efforts to solidify a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the militant group is reportedly reasserting control over Gaza, raising questions about the long-term viability of a US-brokered peace plan that hinges on its disarmament.
US President Donald Trump stated on that Hamas looks like they’re going to disarm
, a claim that followed the return of the remains of an Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili, facilitated by Hamas. However, this assertion is increasingly at odds with reports emerging from within Gaza itself, which paint a picture of a group actively consolidating its power.
The BBC reported just that Hamas is regaining control over security, tax revenue and government services, despite suffering significant losses during the recent conflict. More than 72,000 Gazans were killed during the fighting, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The ceasefire, imposed by the United States last October, initially shifted Hamas’s focus from military confrontation to internal control, a transition that appears to be succeeding.
According to Mohammed Diab, an activist in Gaza, Hamas regained control of more than 90% of the areas where it is present
. He describes a return of Hamas police and security agencies to the streets, actively controlling crime and targeting individuals labelled as collaborators or dissenters. Basic services, such as the issuance of identity cards and access to healthcare, are now reportedly managed through Hamas authorities, and the group is also reasserting influence over the judicial system.
The economic realities of post-conflict Gaza are further bolstering Hamas’s control. Stallholders at markets across the territory report regular police patrols and renewed pressure to pay official fees and taxes. Sources speaking to the BBC requested anonymity, citing fear of retribution, but described aggressive demands for rent and threats of confiscation of goods for non-payment. This suggests a deliberate effort to rebuild Hamas’s financial base and exert economic dominance.
This resurgence of Hamas control is occurring concurrently with the second phase of Trump’s peace plan, which explicitly requires the group to relinquish its weapons and authority. A Palestinian technocratic committee has been established with the stated goal of assuming governance in Gaza, but the extent to which it will be able to operate independently of Hamas remains unclear.
The New York Times reported on that a senior official from President Trump’s “Board of Peace” met with a top Hamas leader last week, specifically to press the issue of disarmament. While details of the meeting remain scarce, it underscores the urgency with which the US administration is pursuing this objective.
However, skepticism about the prospects of complete disarmament is growing. Reuters reported today that Hamas is appointing loyalists to key roles, further solidifying its grip on power ahead of any potential government handover. This move fuels doubts about whether the group is genuinely prepared to cede control, even as it publicly signals a commitment to the ceasefire.
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, expressed confidence on that Hamas would surrender its weapons, stating We’ve got the terrorists out of there and they’re going to demilitarise. They will because they have no choice
. He even predicted They’re going to give it up. They’re going to give up the AK-47s
. However, Hamas has not publicly confirmed any intention to disarm.
The group has indicated a willingness to consider handing over its weapons to a Palestinian governing authority, but disarmament remains a red line
, according to Hamas officials. This suggests a desire to maintain some level of armed presence, potentially under the guise of a unified Palestinian security force.
The situation in Gaza is therefore complex and precarious. While Hamas’s cooperation in returning the remains of Ran Gvili provided a brief moment of optimism, the group’s subsequent actions suggest a determination to maintain its influence and control. The success of Trump’s peace plan hinges on Hamas’s willingness to fully disarm and relinquish authority, a prospect that appears increasingly uncertain given the current dynamics on the ground.
The international community will be closely watching how this situation unfolds, as the future of Gaza – and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict – hangs in the balance. The reassertion of Hamas control raises fundamental questions about the feasibility of a lasting peace and the ability of any future Palestinian government to effectively govern the territory.
