Wall Street Journal: Hamas Popularity in Gaza Rises Following Ceasefire
According to the English section of webangah News Agency citing Mehr News Agency, The Wall Street journal highlighted a rise in Hamas’s popularity among Gazans since the ceasefire. The newspaper noted this poses a challenge to U.S.President Donald Trump’s plan for a ceasefire that involves disarming Hamas.
The report explained that last month, as the ceasefire stabilized and Israeli forces withdrew, Hamas fighters reappeared on Gaza streets acting as police and internal security forces, patrolling and targeting criminals.
Hazem sarour, a businessman from Gaza City, said no one except Hamas can halt security collapse, theft, and lawlessness-which is why people support them.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), before the ceasefire more then 80% of humanitarian aid delivered by UN agencies was confiscated by armed groups in gaza.
However, last month theft rates dropped to about half due to increased aid flows and crime prevention efforts by Hamas’s police force dressed in blue uniforms.
The newspaper argued that lower crime rates alongside continued backing of armed resistance against Israel have allowed Hamas to rebuild its image and strengthen control over Gaza. Polls indicate many Palestinians and analysts across different parts of Gaza now view this armed group wiht more pragmatism.
A poll released last month by the Palestinian Center for Policy Research found 51% of surveyed Gazans held a positive opinion of Hamas’s performance during the war-a figure higher than previous periods.
The Wall Street Journal added that growing Palestinian support for Hamas could complicate efforts to move president Trump’s plan into its next phase.
The report noted most Palestinians surveyed opposed Trump’s proposal to disarm Hamas. A majority also rejected deploying an international force tasked with disarming the group.
