Hamas Reasserts Control in Gaza Amid Delayed Aid and Hostage Handovers

Gaza's situation remains uncertain as Hamas fighters demonstrated their re-emergence by executing men in the street, amidst Israel's decision to delay aid into the enclave and keep the border shut. This development deepens the challenges to progressing from the initial ceasefire to a permanent settlement. As US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war faces hurdles, Hamas has been gradually reasserting itself, despite significant damage from two years of Israeli bombardment and ground incursions. The group's return to control of Gaza's streets has raised concerns about the feasibility of a permanent settlement.

Key Takeaways:

• Israel has delayed aid into Gaza and shut the border, citing Hamas' slow pace in handing over bodies of dead hostages, with at least 23 presumed dead and one unaccounted for still in Gaza.
• Hamas fighters have reasserted control in Gaza's urban areas, with numerous sightings of fighters deploying along routes needed for aid deliveries, and dozens of people have been killed in clashes between Hamas fighters and rivals.
• The re-emergence of Hamas control demonstrates significant hurdles to progressing from the initial ceasefire to a permanent settlement that would prevent a new eruption of fighting.
• Israel's military has employed drone fire and airstrikes, killing five people in a suburb east of Gaza City and one person near Khan Younis, with Hamas accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire.
• The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, insists that the war cannot end until Hamas gives up its weapons and ceases to control Gaza, a demand that Hamas has rejected, torpedoing previous peace efforts.
• US President Donald Trump has given Hamas a temporary green light to keep order, despite the group's gradual reassertion of control and the significant challenges to establishing a permanent settlement.

Statistics:

• 1,200 people were killed and 251 hostages seized by Hamas-led gunmen in Gaza on October 7, 2023, sparking two years of devastating warfare.
• Nearly 68,000 people were killed in Israel's military campaign in Gaza, according to local health authorities, with thousands more feared dead under the rubble.
• 250 bodies have been recovered since the truce began, according to Gaza's Civil Defense Service.
• Thousands of Gazans have been returning to homes since the ceasefire, many finding whole streets bombed into dust.
• UNICEF has provided critical aid items, including tents, tarpaulin sheets, winter clothes, family hygiene kits, and other items to Gaza.

Sources:

• Reuters, citing a Hamas source, regarding the group's reassertion of control and aid handovers in Gaza.
• Israel's military campaign in Gaza, reported by Israeli officials, resulting in nearly 68,000 deaths.
• Gaza's Civil Defense Service, regarding body recoveries since the truce began.
• UNICEF, regarding aid distribution in Gaza.
• Saudi Research and Publishing Co., regarding the global hunger monitor's assessment of famine in Gaza.