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Are the Foundations of Hamas's Power Beginning to Crack?
(Ha'aretz) Jack Khoury - Hamas's narrative of "business as usual" collides with the domestic reality of Gaza. Hamas has lost most of its local leadership, a substantial part of its military powers, its rocket capabilities, and ammunition production capacity. As Hamas continues to repeat its mantra of "liberation and resistance," it has lost control of half of Gaza's territory, and there appears to be no clear prospect of an Israeli withdrawal. Hamas is also struggling to meet the basic humanitarian needs of residents living in Gaza: food, shelter, health and education. The Palestinian public in Gaza has undergone a substantial change, explains Mustafa Ibrahim, a Gaza resident and researcher of Palestinian society. Whereas "steadfastness" was once considered Hamas's source of public credibility, today, legitimacy is measured by the ability to ensure people's lives. Those who protect people from hunger, cold, and disease succeed. Those who wave flags bearing slogans of resistance do not.