Additional Coverage:
Gaza Crisis: Hamas Influence Wanes as Desperate Civilians Seek US-backed Aid
The terrorist group Hamas is facing a crisis of legitimacy in the Gaza Strip as its authority and popular support dwindle amid internal pressure to end hostilities with Israel and return hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attacks. This decline is further fueled by the group’s opposition to a new US-Israeli aid initiative.
According to Joe Truzman, a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Hamas’s resistance to the new aid distribution mechanism, coordinated by the US and Israel, demonstrates that the group prioritizes maintaining its authority over the well-being of Palestinians. Despite a months-long aid blockade and widespread starvation, Hamas threatened civilians accepting aid, warning they would “pay the price.”
These threats did not deter desperate Gazans, who overwhelmed aid distribution sites established by the US-Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). While reports of casualties during the chaotic aid distribution varied, the GHF maintains that no one was harmed while receiving assistance, attributing conflicting reports to Hamas’s attempts to sabotage the initiative.
Truzman argues that it is in Hamas’s interest to portray the aid delivery negatively and exploit the resulting chaos to reclaim its authority. He explains that control over aid flows allowed Hamas to exert influence, reward loyalty, and maintain internal control. The erosion of this influence represents a significant threat to the group.
Despite the initial chaos, the GHF reported distributing hundreds of thousands of meals, and operations continue to expand. A Gazan civilian expressed gratitude for the US aid, highlighting Hamas’s failure to provide basic necessities and urging the group to prioritize the needs of the people.
The declining public trust in Hamas is not a new phenomenon. Pre-existing dissatisfaction with the group’s governance, coupled with the devastation caused by the 2023 conflict, has further eroded their support.
A pre-war report indicated that a significant portion of the population blamed Hamas for mismanagement and expressed distrust in their leadership. The current situation is likely to exacerbate these sentiments.
Truzman believes that even if the new aid system is imperfect, the mere possibility of improved living conditions without Hamas could further shift public opinion against the group. He cautions, however, that Hamas’s remaining leadership is deeply entrenched ideologically and committed to its militant agenda.
While the future of Gaza remains uncertain, the current situation highlights the growing desperation of its civilian population and the mounting challenges faced by Hamas as its grip on power weakens.