Losing control of Gaza: Hamas crackdown on clans, civilians with new
intensity - analysis

It appears now that Hamas is concerned it could be losing a grip on
power.

Hamas appears to sense that its rule over Gaza is in jeopardy and is
returning to its roots as a thuggish, mafia-like organization,
cracking down on Gazans who speak out against it and massacring people
seeking humanitarian aid.

It's important to understand the context. Hamas began as a relatively
small organization. Although its ideological roots are in the Muslim Brotherhood and political Islam, its actual early members such as
Yahya Sinwar, were killers who emerged in a mafia-like world in places
like Khan Yunis.

In those days, in the 1980s, when Israel-controlled cities in Gaza,
family rivalries used to result in feuds and killings. Later, in the
1990s, there was still a great deal of violence in Gaza between clans.
Hamas replaced these groups.

After 2007, when Hamas brutally banished the Palestinian Authority
following its 2006 election, it was quick to put down any dissent.
Hamas also benefited from a partnership with international
organizations and provided "security" for most internationals and the
UN in Gaza.

This meant that Hamas police were seen as the force for "law and
order" by international groups. After the October 7 massacre and
Israel's retaliation, Hamas has lost control of some areas of Gaza.
However, their plainclothes thugs have returned to many of these areas
whenever Israel withdraws, and seek to keep people from speaking out
against the terrorist group.

https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-792203#792203

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