Gaza's Ceasefire Shadow: Hamas Reasserts Control
A week after the ceasefire, residents describe Hamas's armed recruitment and tax collection, challenging the disarmament vision.
Gaza's Ceasefire Shadow: Hamas Reasserts Control — A week after the ceasefire, a Gaza resident identified as A told N12 that Hamas is recruiting teenagers aged 18-20, who hold Kalashnikovs and stand at intersections, for 600-700 shekels a month. Another resident, M, said Hamas maintains investigation centers and forces in command centers within hospital complexes, and monitors residents. These testimonies, reported by mako, paint a picture of an organization reasserting control rather than disarming, contrary to the ceasefire agreement's vision.[^1] Hussam al-Astal, commander of an armed militia in Khan Younis opposed to Hamas, expressed confidence that the organization will not hand over the weapons. He accuses Hamas of collecting taxes by force, ranging from 18% to 35-40%, including confiscating cigarettes. M estimates that Hamas will hand over only 500 out of 60-70 thousand Kalashnikovs as a show for the media.[^1] The UN has declared an 'unsafe environment' in Gaza for civilians, as reported by vesti.[^2] The contrast between the ceasefire's promise and on-the-ground reality is stark. While the agreement envisions disarmament, residents describe a Hamas that is rearming and entrenching. The question is whether international pressure can force a change, or whether the ceasefire merely provides Hamas a pause to consolidate. As al-Astal's confidence suggests, the weapons may not be handed over easily, leaving the ceasefire's core vision unfulfilled. Rahat Brothers Indicted as Clan Violence Persists — Yosef Al-Bahiri, 22, went up to the roof of his house in Rahat about a month ago, carrying an assault rifle, and fired a large number of bullets at his relatives and the road, shouting "I'll kill you." His brother Hassan, 26, arrived at the back of the house holding an object resembling a gun, aimed it at his relatives, and threatened: "Stop or I'll shoot you," and later, "If you come closer, I'll shoot." Today (Sunday), the State Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment with the Be'er Sheva District Court against both brothers.[^1] The shooting left 21 bullet impacts on one complainant's vehicle.[^2] The indictment lands amid an ongoing clan dispute in Rahat th