Hamas gains popularity in Gaza as security returns, WSJ report says

According to a report published by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Hamas has increased its popularity among Palestinians in Gaza following the ceasefire.

The organization has recouped the loss of support it experienced during the US-backed Israeli genocide campaign.

The rise in support for Hamas poses a significant obstacle to the US-backed plan aimed at forcibly disarming the organization and excluding it from the future governance of Gaza.

This shift began with the withdrawal of Israeli forces to the so-called Yellow Line area.

Following this development, Hamas members redeployed on the streets of Gaza, assumed neighborhood patrol duties, targeted criminal gangs, and took action against rival groups backed by Israel.

The need for security supersedes political views

Gaza residents welcome the restoration of basic order after months of chaos. This satisfaction extends to segments of the population that do not politically support Hamas.

Hazem Sourour, a businessman living in Gaza City, told WSJ, “Even people who do not support Hamas want security.”

Sourour described the situation in the region with these words:

“We saw a complete collapse, robberies, bullying, and lawlessness. No one but Hamas could stop this; that is why people support them.”

Another Gaza resident speaking to the newspaper expressed similar views, stating, “Even those opposed to Hamas want the idea of security.”

Sharp decline in looting incidents

With the return of police units, cases of theft and looting have decreased significantly. Before the ceasefire, more than 80% of humanitarian aid entering Gaza was being seized or stolen.

With the activation of Hamas-affiliated “blue police” units, this rate dropped to approximately 5% last month.

The World Food Programme (WFP) announced on October 22 that no aid convoys had been looted in Gaza since the start of the ceasefire.

The organization reported that the chaos experienced during previous deliveries is no longer seen.

No public support for the US plan

The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research noted that support for Hamas’s performance during the war has increased.

According to the center’s data, the support rate, which was at the 39% level last year, rose to 51% in the latest poll.

The majority of Palestinians in Gaza oppose the key elements of the US-backed plan that envisions the forced disarmament of Hamas. 55% of participants reject this plan.

A segment of 52% does not want an international force sent to the region to carry out disarmament.

The WSJ report stated that these trends weaken Washington’s plan. The second phase of the plan envisions Hamas laying down its arms.

Analysts speaking to the newspaper emphasized that the poll results show Hamas has not been weakened to the extent claimed by Israeli officials.

A public opinion researcher made the following assessment to the newspaper: “Hamas is not going to disappear tomorrow. We have to learn to live with it.”