The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, released a statement Feb. 28 condemning the bombardments of Iran by Washington and Israel. Calling for Palestinians “to act in anger against Zionist and American policy,” the group vowed the “battle with Zionists will continue.”
Hamas — long backed financially, politically and militarily by Tehran — has never backed off its determination to destroy Israel and slaughter Jews.
Four months ago Washington imposed a “ceasefire” in Gaza, blocking Israel from decisively defeating Hamas in the war Tel Aviv launched after Hamas carried out its anti-Jewish pogrom in Israel Oct. 7, 2023. Its thugs killed 1,200 people, kidnapped 251, and raped and mutilated dozens of women.
While Israel holds over half of Gaza, nearly all of its 2 million residents live in areas controlled by Hamas, which is expanding its dictatorial grip over policing power, and killing off its political opponents.
It’s not clear what will happen next in this region since Washington launched its bombardment of Iran, with Israel striking blows as well.
At markets across Gaza, stallholders told BBC News about the despised patrols by Hamas, as the group reestablishes its iron grip on collecting official fees and taxes. “Every single day they come to us aggressively,” one said, “saying if we don’t pay they’ll throw us and our goods into the street.”
On Jan. 20 Doctors Without Borders suspended all noncritical services at one of Gaza’s largest hospitals, the Nasser Hospital Complex in Khan Younis, saying the facility — used as a Hamas command center for years — was again filled with combatants and arms caches.
When Israel’s advancing offensive against Hamas was halted by Washington last October, the outfit immediately turned its guns on rival clans. Footage of the crackdown, including summary executions in the streets of blindfolded rivals, was released by Hamas leaders in an effort to terrorize anyone considering standing up to them.
The Times of Israel reports that Hamas is looking to leverage itself inside President Donald Trump’s planned National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, to be headed by a former Palestinian Authority deputy minister, Ali Shaath. “Shaath may have the key to the car, and he may even be allowed to drive, but it is a Hamas car,” one source told Reuters.