Gaza City — As a cease-fire came into effect in Gaza on Sunday, Hamas staged a conspicuous show of strength, parading masked gunmen through streets in white pickup trucks while crowds chanted in support of the group’s military wing. Spectacle underscored Hamas’s determination to project itself as the dominant force in Gaza, despite the significant losses it has suffered during the recent conflict with Israel.
Parade sent a clear message to Palestinians, Israelis, and the international community: Hamas intends to remain central to Gaza’s future governance and cannot be sidelined in any resolution to the crisis.
“Hamas is signaling that it is ‘day after’ authority in Gaza,” said Ibrahim Madhoun, an analyst with close ties to the group. “y is making it clear that any future arrangements must include m, or at least involve coordination with m.”
Resuming Operations Amid Rubble
On Sunday, the Hamas-run government announced that thousands of police officers were being deployed to restore order and security across the territory. Government institutions, it said, were ready to resume operations with a recovery plan to return life to normal.
In Khan Younis, at Nasser Medical Complex, police officers stood solemnly as the Palestinian national anthem played, symbolizing a tentative return to civilian governance. However, the visible presence of armed militants in Gaza City’s Saraya Square, where hostages were transferred to the Red Cross, highlighted ongoing tension. Crowds surged around the scene, forcing militants to push me back, even as the cease-fire held.
Uncertain Future for Hamas and Gaza
While Hamas is making every effort to demonstrate its continued control, its future in Gaza remains precarious. Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, have reiterated ir goal of dismantling Hamas’s military and administrative infrastructure.
“Hamas’s rule in Gaza poses a direct threat to Israel’s security,” Saar stated on Sunday. “We remain committed to achieving objectives of this war.”
Although Israel has signaled its readiness to resume military operations, if necessary, analysts caution that such a move would face significant international resistance. Moreover, uprooting Hamas without a prolonged occupation of Gaza presents a formidable challenge.
Reality on Ground
For many observers, Hamas’s parades on Sunday were as much a message to the international community as they were a reflection of the group’s resilience on the ground.
“Hamas is not just posturing; they are showing that y remains a reality in Gaza,” said Ali Jarbawi, a political science professor at Birzeit University. “The question now is whether this reality will be confronted, accommodated, or reshaped in days ahead.”
As cease-fire takes hold, the broader question of Gaza’s future governance—and Hamas’s role in it—remains unresolved, leaving the territory in a precarious balance between fragile peace and potential renewed conflict.
