Hamas in Gaza: Between Politics, War, and Survival
Is Hamas in Gaza a government, a resistance, or a threat? That question has defined decades of debates in the Middle East and beyond. For millions of Palestinians living in Gaza, Hamas is the authority that governs daily life, from social welfare to security. For Israel, Hamas is the face of an enemy locked in a cycle of war, ceasefire, and escalation.
The Israel Hamas War has become one of the most bitter and complex conflicts of the 21st century, drawing in world powers and fueling regional instability. Yet beyond the headlines lies the human story—families in Gaza struggling under blockade, Israeli civilians rushing to shelters, and generations growing up in an atmosphere where peace feels more like a dream than a possibility.
This feature explores Hamas’s origins, its political and military roles, and the humanitarian impact of its actions. It is a journey into the paradox of a movement that governs with one hand and fights with the other, leaving the world divided over how to respond.
From Brotherhood to Resistance: The Birth of Hamas
To understand Hamas in Gaza today, we must return to the late 20th century. Hamas—short for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya (Islamic Resistance Movement)—was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation. Its roots trace back to the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist movement that blended religious ideology with grassroots organization.
Unlike secular Palestinian groups such as Fatah, Hamas defined itself as both a religious and nationalist movement. Its founding charter called for the liberation of Palestine through armed struggle, positioning itself as a defender of Palestinian identity and Islamic values. Over time, this blend of faith and militancy made Hamas distinct in the broader Palestinian political landscape.
The Early Strategy
Hamas began by building support through social services—schools, clinics, food programs—while simultaneously organizing resistance against Israel. This dual approach gave the group legitimacy among Palestinians, especially in Gaza, where poverty and unemployment were widespread.
A Movement Shaped by War
The years that followed saw Hamas move deeper into militancy. Suicide bombings in the 1990s, clashes with Israeli forces, and competition with the Palestinian Authority defined its path. By the time of the Israel Hamas War escalations in the 2000s, Hamas had become a symbol of resistance for some Palestinians and a sworn enemy for Israel and its allies.
CHAPTER 3 – POLITICAL ROLE IN GAZA
From Ballots to Blockade: Hamas as Ruler
The turning point for Hamas in Gaza came in 2006. In elections widely monitored by international observers, Hamas shocked the world by winning a majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council. Riding on promises of clean governance, resistance credentials, and its extensive social welfare network, Hamas presented itself as an alternative to the corruption and stagnation that plagued Fatah and the Palestinian Authority.
The victory was not just political—it was symbolic. For the first time, an Islamist resistance movement was handed the reins of power through democratic means. But the result triggered a swift backlash. Israel, the United States, and the European Union rejected Hamas’s rule, labeling it a terrorist organization. International aid was cut, sanctions imposed, and the fragile Palestinian unity government collapsed into rivalry.
The 2007 Gaza Takeover
Tensions with Fatah boiled over into violent clashes. In June 2007, Hamas seized full control of Gaza after days of bloody street battles. From then on, the strip of land, home to over 2 million people, became Hamas’s stronghold.
Governance under Siege
Hamas’s rule in Gaza has been defined by paradox. On one hand, the group provides social services, runs ministries, and polices the streets. On the other, it maintains a militant wing, launching rockets and engaging in armed conflict with Israel. The Israel Hamas War cycles—brief ceasefires punctuated by escalation—have shaped Gaza’s reality for nearly two decades.
Al-Qassam Brigades: The Armed Wing of Hamas
No story of Hamas in Gaza is complete without examining its military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. Established in the early 1990s, the Brigades became Hamas’s spearhead for armed struggle, carrying out attacks against Israeli forces and later rocket campaigns that defined the new era of conflict.
Tactics of Resistance
- Rocket Attacks: Thousands of projectiles have been launched into Israel, forcing civilians into shelters.
- Tunnel Networks: Gaza’s underground labyrinth serves as smuggling routes, command centers, and launch pads.
- Guerrilla Warfare: Ambushes and street battles showcase adaptability against Israel’s superior military.
Israel Hamas War: A Cycle of Escalation
Each clash follows a familiar rhythm—rocket fire, Israeli airstrikes, civilian casualties, global outrage, and fragile ceasefires. Civilians on both sides remain the true victims.
Lives Caught Between War and Blockade
In Gaza, life under Hamas is marked by shortages, unemployment, and fear of war. Blockades imposed since 2007 have crippled the economy and left hospitals under strain. Youth unemployment hovers above 60 percent, while electricity and water remain scarce.
Children of Gaza grow up with bombings, blackouts, and trauma. On the Israeli side, civilians in towns like Sderot live with rocket sirens and shelters as part of daily life.
The humanitarian toll is staggering: destroyed homes, broken families, and generations scarred by a war they did not choose.
A Divided World on Hamas
- Western Powers: The U.S. and EU classify Hamas as a terrorist group, focusing on Israel’s security.
- Middle East: Iran, Qatar, and Turkey support Hamas; Egypt and Jordan remain cautious; Gulf states balance ties with Israel and sympathy for Palestinians.
- International Agencies: The UN and aid groups stress humanitarian protection, warning that Gaza risks collapse under blockade and war.
Global reactions remain split—seeing Hamas as either a threat, a resistance, or a political reality too large to ignore.
A Conflict Without an Ending
From 2008 to 2023, repeated wars between Hamas and Israel followed the same cycle: violence, destruction, truce, and renewal of hostilities. Fragile ceasefires, often brokered by Egypt or Qatar, rarely last.
Distrust, political fragmentation, and Gaza’s dire conditions guarantee new escalations. Until core issues are resolved—occupation, recognition, and governance—this cycle will continue.
Obstacle or Negotiating Partner?
Is Hamas an obstacle to peace, or an unavoidable actor in any settlement?
For Israel, Hamas is irredeemable. For many Palestinians, it is a symbol of resistance. For mediators, Hamas is paradoxical—excluded from peace talks yet central to every ceasefire.
The question remains: can Hamas evolve into a political actor, or will Gaza remain trapped in endless conflict?
Hamas at the Crossroads
The story of Hamas is one of contradictions: ruler and rebel, provider and fighter, obstacle and negotiator. The Israel-Hamas War has proven that force alone cannot bring resolution.
Until both Israeli security and Palestinian dignity are addressed, Hamas will remain at the heart of the region’s struggle. At this crossroads, the choice is not only about Hamas, but about whether the world is ready to pursue a peace that goes beyond war.
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