Hamas’s popularity rises in Gaza, complicating Trump plan to disarm militants

Hamas’s popularity has edged up among Palestinians in Gaza since the ceasefire, ending a slide during the war and posing a challenge to President ‘Trump’s plan to bring peace to the enclave by disarming the militant group.

- Sudarsan Raghavan & Suha Ma'ayeh

A major reason is security. Last month, as a ceasefire took root and Israeli forces pulled back, Hamas fighters reemerged on the streets as police and internal-security forces, patrolling and targeting criminals along with rivals and critics.

While many Gazans have a dim view of the U.S.-desig nated terrorist group and don't like seeing the group reassert itself, Palestinians have welcomed a reduction in crime and looting.

“Even those who oppose Hamas, the idea of security is something people want,” said Hazem Srour, 22, a businessman in Gaza City. “It’s because we had a security breakdown with thefts, thuggery and lawlessness.

“No one could stop it except Hamas, and that’s why people support them,” he said.

Before the truce, more than 80% of humanitarian aid from the U.N. and its partner agencies was intercepted by desperate Gazans or seized by armed gangs, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

In the past month, thefts are down to around 5% of deliveries, according to the agency. That is because more aid is flowing and Hamas's “blue police” are preventing criminality, a UNOCHA spokesperson said.

The reduction in crime and lingering support for armed resistance to Israel has allowed Hamas to rebuild its image and exert tighter control over the enclave, as many Palestinians now perceive the militant group in more pragmatic terms, according to pollsters, analysts and Palestinians across Gaza.