Hamas reasserts security control in Gaza as 'Israeli' forces withdraw under ceasefire

Following the withdrawal of 'Israeli' forces from large areas of the Gaza Strip under the ongoing ceasefire agreement, Hamas security apparatuses have begun a major redeployment to restore internal security and reestablish full control on the ground.

The measures, which include new appointments and temporary headquarters, come amid assurances from the movement that no security vacuum will be allowed, despite the ceasefire requiring Hamas to eventually relinquish control and its weapons.

Internal Security Efforts Intensify

According to Asharq Al-Awsat on Saturday, Hamas security forces are actively reasserting authority across the Strip:

• Widespread redeployment to areas vacated by 'Israeli' troops.
• Market and price regulation, including monitoring commerce and street vendors.
• Traffic organization across Gaza.
• New appointments of governors, police chiefs, and security leaders, replacing figures killed during the war.
• Temporary police headquarters to manage theft, disputes, and maintain public order.

Government sources in Gaza said these measures aim to counter the chaos allegedly encouraged by Israel through support for armed gangs.

Hamas: No Security Vacuum, Will Relinquish Control Only Under Conditions

While the second phase of the US peace plan calls for Hamas to give up governance and weapons, sources within the movement told the newspaper that Hamas “will not leave Gaza’s daily life and security in the hands of an uncoordinated authority.”

Plans reportedly include the formation of a Palestinian technocratic committee to manage the Strip, with Hamas agreeing to its framework. Implementation, however, depends on future agreements in Egypt regarding the second phase of the plan. Hamas sources emphasized that the group “is willing to relinquish power and has no intention of holding on unnecessarily.”

Hamas Leader Defends Measures, Proposes Five-Year Truce

In a key interview with Reuters, Hamas official Mohammed Nazzal outlined the movement’s vision for the transitional period:

• Temporary security control: Hamas intends to maintain security oversight to protect aid and prevent crime during the transition.
• Defense of public executions: Nazzal justified recent field executions, describing them as “exceptional wartime measures based on investigations” against individuals involved in violent crimes.
• Long-term truce: He suggested a five-year ceasefire to facilitate reconstruction, emphasizing the goal is not preparing for another war but rebuilding Gaza.
• Linking truce to Palestinian statehood: Nazzal stressed that any future guarantees must provide “hope and a horizon for the Palestinian people” to establish an independent state.
• Ambiguity on disarmament: On whether Hamas would give up its weapons, Nazzal said it depends on “the nature of the project” and requires a unified Palestinian position across all factions.

Reactions and Future Challenges

Nazzal’s remarks have prompted mixed reactions. 'Israel’s' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office reaffirmed adherence to the agreement but criticized Hamas for failing to meet first-phase obligations, such as returning all bodies. “The agreement must lead to Hamas’ disarmament, no conditions, no exceptions,” officials said, warning that “time is running out.”

Meanwhile, the White House reiterated previous statements from President Trump supporting Hamas’ temporary security role in eliminating armed gangs.

These contrasting positions underscore the significant gaps between Hamas’ vision for the transitional period and the Trump plan, signaling difficult and complex negotiations ahead, particularly over disarmament and Gaza’s political future.