Rafah Mayor Speaks: "Hamas Has Disappeared, Everything Falls on Us" | Exclusive

Rafah Mayor Dr. Ahmed al-Sufi says in an exclusive interview with i24NEWS that Hamas has disappeared from the city, leaving the local authority to manage affairs alone. He runs the city from a tent in the "Al-Mahdir" area, alongside some 170,000 displaced people without basic infrastructure.

Rafah Mayor Dr. Ahmed al-Sufi says in an exclusive interview with i24NEWS that Hamas has disappeared from the city and everything falls on the local authority. He runs the city from a tent in the "Al-Mahdir" area (the former settlement areas), alongside temporary municipal offices. In this area, some 170,000 displaced people are crowded together without basic infrastructure, roads, or a regular water network. Hamas announced the dissolution of the civil administration several months ago, but at the same time efforts continue to strengthen control over the Strip. Hamas policemen are still occasionally seen at junctions but suffer heavy casualties from airstrikes. The National Committee for Managing Gaza, based in Cairo, is mired in inaction and is even considering resignation. Residents of the Strip fear the approaching winter hazards.