While Israel focuses on Iran, Hamas tightens its grip on Gaza Strip through violence & intimidation

Amid the war with Iran, residents of Gaza say Hamas is working to restore its power in all areas of the Gaza Strip where it previously held control outside the Yellow Line, KAN News reported on Monday on the program “This Morning.”

“Hamas is taking advantage of the war and the fact that Israel is preoccupied with Iran. Its operatives were deployed even before the war, but we didn’t expect their numbers and presence in the streets to reach this level. The main road in the Strip, Salah al-Din, is full of Hamas members,” Gaza residents told KAN.

The residents also said the Hamas terror group is using its newfound freedom of action in recent days to intimidate internal opponents.

In one case, Hamas militants reportedly went to a resident’s tent after he posted criticism of the group on Facebook. When they arrived, they reportedly “beat him, shot him in the leg and detained him.”

Hamas has reportedly resumed collecting taxes. Residents say the taxes have risen, while goods are being confiscated and handed to people close to Hamas, leaving fewer products in the markets and causing prices to increase.

“Prices have tripled in recent weeks. Hamas is confiscating goods entering the Strip. Those funds are used for the group’s rearmament, it doesn’t go to police or municipal institutions, but mainly to senior figures and the military wing,” claimed one resident.

Up until a month ago, discussion in the Gaza Strip revolved around the possibility of replacing Hamas with a technocratic government.

Among Gazans, the feeling is growing that this will no longer happen: “Hamas won’t give up control of the Strip. They’re determined to control anything. Even if you give them a single tent, a school or a hospital, they will find a way to take it over and collect money from it,” residents said, describing their frustration regarding the Strip's future.