By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Since the ceasefire, Hamas has been operating as a militia, deploying masked gunmen and committing violence against Gaza residents, including killings, often without public explanation. These actions have instilled fear among residents, with reports of executions and intimidation tactics used against those suspected of crimes or collaboration with Israel. While Hamas-linked media has published footage of these actions, official announcements are avoided. Many Gazans fear speaking out against Hamas, and experts predict a grim future, highlighting the need for disarmament and a solution to the ongoing conflict.
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The return of Hamas: With wave of executions, terror group reasserts control in Gaza, is a stark reminder of the volatile and tragic reality that continues to grip the region. The situation is complicated, but the core issue is clear: Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by many nations, is back in control in Gaza, and their reassertion of power has been marked by violence, including a wave of executions.
This raises some troubling questions. Why aren’t there massive protests against Hamas killing Palestinians? The world seems to have a selective memory, with outrage often reserved for specific actors. Where is the same level of condemnation when the victims are Palestinians killed by Hamas itself? The silence speaks volumes, especially when contrasted with the passionate outcries against Israel. It’s almost as if some are more concerned with perceived political alignments than the actual loss of life.
The hypocrisy is glaring. The “Ceasefire now” crowd, so vocal when it comes to Israel, seems to have gone quiet. Where are the demands for Hamas to release hostages or to surrender? Where is the international outcry for intervention to protect the Palestinian people from Hamas’s brutality? This apparent double standard casts a long shadow on the intentions of some participants in the international discourse on the conflict. It makes you wonder, is it truly about the Palestinians’ well-being, or is it about something else entirely?
Hamas’s actions also directly contradict the promises they’ve made. The ceasefire agreement, which Hamas agreed to, stipulated that they would have no role in governing Gaza and that their military infrastructure would be dismantled. It’s a deal they clearly didn’t intend to keep. This broken agreement highlights the group’s disregard for international law and its primary focus: maintaining power through any means necessary.
It’s also important to understand the context. The IDF, the Israeli Defence Forces, haven’t fully withdrawn from Gaza, making the situation even more precarious. With a ceasefire always hanging by a thread, the potential for renewed conflict is ever-present. This underscores the need for a stable, long-term solution, which, sadly, remains elusive.
Some argue that Israel bears some responsibility, pointing to past actions and ongoing conflicts as fueling the current situation. However, even if one acknowledges these points, it doesn’t excuse Hamas’s behavior. Hamas’s strategy of operating within civilian populations and using human shields, for example, is a deliberate and cruel tactic, designed to incite international condemnation of Israel. This strategy underscores the group’s complete lack of regard for the lives of its own people.
There’s a sense that the international community is often slow to react to violence perpetrated by non-Western actors. The outrage against Arab-on-Arab violence or against events in parts of the world not involving Jews and/or Israel pales in comparison to the reaction to Israeli actions. The double standards on display are simply unbelievable.
The argument that “the movement” is more about hating Jews than caring about the dead Palestinians holds some weight. The lack of condemnation against Hamas’s actions, the refusal to acknowledge the group’s responsibility for the suffering of Palestinians, and the focus on blaming Israel – all point to a disturbing reality.
The problem, at the heart of the conflict on both sides is, sadly, Abraham. Both sides seem locked in cycles of violence and revenge. It’s a sad state of affairs where both sides use the same religious roots to justify atrocities against each other.
The absence of a credible alternative to Hamas in Gaza is a significant factor contributing to the ongoing crisis. The Palestinian Authority has been weakened, leaving a vacuum that Hamas has filled. The international community needs to work towards a solution that fosters stability and provides the Palestinian people with a future free from violence and oppression.
Ultimately, the return of Hamas to power in Gaza is a tragedy. A tragedy for the Palestinian people, who deserve to live in peace and security. A tragedy for the prospect of any lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And a tragedy that highlights the hypocrisy and selective outrage that often cloud the international community’s response to this complex and devastating situation.