UPDATE: Hamas security forces are reasserting control over Gaza’s devastated cities as a fragile truce holds amid escalating tensions. Just hours ago, busloads of prisoners released from Israeli jails arrived in Gaza, where armed fighters from Hamas’s Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades provided crowd control.
As Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza City, armed police resumed patrols, intensifying their operations against armed clans allegedly backed by Israel. Witnesses report ongoing clashes, with one local stating, “Intense clashes broke out — and are still ongoing at the moment — as part of efforts to eliminate collaborators.”
The violence erupted in Shujaiya, eastern Gaza City, near the contested Yellow Line, where Israeli troops maintain a presence. A resident, Mohammed, described the chaotic scene, stating, “We heard intense gunfire and explosions, and the security forces arrested some of them. We support this.”
A Palestinian security source confirmed that Hamas’s newly established Deterrence Force is conducting operations to ensure stability. “Our message is clear: There will be no place for outlaws or those who threaten the security of citizens,” he stated.
Hamas has accused Israel of violating the truce by opening fire during these confrontations, while the Israeli military claims it only returned fire to neutralize perceived threats.
In a significant geopolitical context, US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, endorsed by world powers at a recent summit in Egypt, emphasizes that Hamas must disarm and return the remains of 24 hostages for any future involvement in governance. Under the plan, Hamas members willing to “decommission their weapons” could receive amnesty.
For many residents grappling with the aftermath of conflict, the presence of Hamas forces offers a sense of security. “After the war ended and the police spread out in the streets, we started to feel safe,” said Abu Fadi Al-Banna, a local resident. Meanwhile, Hamdiya Shammiya, displaced from northern Gaza, expressed relief at the return of order, saying, “Thank God the war is finally over. We’ve started to breathe a little.”
However, as Palestinians seek stability, families in Israel are intensifying pressure for the return of the remains of the 24 hostages still held by Hamas. Following the recent ceasefire, 20 surviving hostages were reunited with their families, while the remains of four deceased hostages were also returned.
The Israeli military confirmed the identities of two returned hostages: Guy Iluz, an Israeli national, and Bipin Joshi, a Nepalese agriculture student. The military emphasized that, despite the emotional toll, it remains committed to securing the return of all hostages.
As the region grapples with these developments, Trump continues to engage in diplomatic discussions, aiming to solidify the truce and explore potential resolutions to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
With tensions remaining high and both sides calling for compliance with the terms set forth, the situation continues to evolve. Observers will be closely monitoring how Hamas’s grip on Gaza unfolds in the coming days and whether the current peace efforts will yield lasting stability.
