The Israel-Hamas conflict has flared up even more recently. Political developments as well as street violence have sharply escalated this volatile, complicated, and fast-changing situation. On October 7, 2023, Hamas initiated an unprecedented surprise attack against Israel. This violent attack led to the murder of nearly 1,200 people, most of whom were noncombatant civilians. In retaliation, Israel responded with a devastating series of military operations. These measures have led to an estimated 67,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 170,000 injuries.
With fighting still ongoing, Hamas fighters have returned to the streets of Gaza. This reemergence is a promising harbinger of a possible comeback by the popular militant group. No word, too, despite this enormous reversal of circumstances, from Israel on Hamas’s return to the world stage. The Israeli government challenges this definition by insisting that its strategic goal be nothing short of the permanent disarmament of Hamas.
In recent reports, a terrifying video has emerged. To be clear, the video depicts Hamas militants shooting and killing seven police officers in a public square of Gaza City. This attack has triggered international outrage and highlighted the brutal and repressive nature of the group’s proposed form of government. Under an extended temporary ceasefire deal, Israel traded for the bodies of 20 living hostages with Hamas. This agreement involved the release by Israel of close to 2,000 detainees.
The ceasefire agreement and its effects have continuously been front page news. Israel reportedly agreed to provide information regarding the remains of Palestinians who died in Israeli custody as part of the negotiations. Though it has not been confirmed by international actors, Israeli military officials have claimed that Hamas was intentionally holding up the return of Israeli hostages’ remains.
Donald Trump is understandably nervous about it. He should be pressing Hamas to immediately return the remaining bodies of hostages. He was deeply frustrated with the slow progress saying,
“A big burden has been lifted, but the job IS NOT DONE. THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS PROMISED!”
Alongside these political developments, a new administration structure that would reflect the changing reality on the ground is taking shape in Gaza. Fifteen Palestinian technocrats have been appointed to run the day-to-day governance of Gaza, with acceptance from all Palestinian factions — including Hamas. To allay Israeli concerns about security, this step has already been closely vetted and coordinated with Israeli officials to ensure it meets security requirements.
Yet even as these administrative changes seek to stabilize Gaza, the challenges are overwhelming. Humanitarian organizations are warning of increasingly desperate conditions and calling for much greater aid. Amjad al-Shawa noted,
“We didn’t witness any significant change on the ground… We cannot say there is a flood of aid.”
The international community is watching closely to see how the reconstruction efforts in Gaza will be carried out. The United Nations, European Union, and World Bank have put the region’s rebuilding costs at around $70 billion. Their CEO Jaco Cilliers articulated the level of devastation when he said,
“The estimated damage and rubble throughout the whole of Gaza is in the region of 55 million tons… equal to 13 pyramids in Giza.”
Hamas’s recent actions suggest it is attempting to reassert its authority over Gaza by deploying armed fighters onto the streets and targeting opposition groups aligned with Israel. These moves reflect a clear effort on the part of Hamas to cement its rule even as fighting rages on.
The status quo is a product of a long history of incalcitrant political machinations and violence. As each party walks through a delicate balance of military objective and humanitarian crisis, the future is left to be seen.
“The search for human remains, it’s obviously an even bigger challenge than having … the people alive being released.”
Ela Haimi added insights into operational challenges, stating,
“I had the information that [Hamas] are not doing everything they can… We can control how many trucks go inside the strip.”
The current situation reflects a deeply entrenched cycle of violence and political maneuvering. As both sides navigate a complex landscape of military strategy and humanitarian needs, the future remains uncertain.