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Source: https://jcfa.org/how-does-hamas-plan-to-maintain-control-of-the-gaza-strip/
How Does Hamas Plan to Maintain Control of Gaza?
(Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs) Yoni Ben Menachem - Senior Israeli security officials say Hamas has formulated a clear strategy for preserving its rule in Gaza, both militarily and civically. Hamas is not troubled by the establishment of the Gaza Technocratic Committee that is supposed to manage civilian life. Its twelve members are residents of Gaza with families living there, which means Hamas can, at any given moment, exert pressure on them and on their relatives to achieve its objectives. Moreover, the Technocratic Committee intends to continue managing daily life through the existing governmental and municipal bureaucracy in Gaza, which numbers around 40,000 employees. These officials currently receive their salaries from Hamas, and there is no intention to dismiss them from their posts. This reality allows Hamas to continue ruling from behind the scenes. Hamas has no intention of fully disarming. Israeli security officials assess that Hamas is now attempting to draw Israel and the U.S. into negotiations over disarmament to buy time. Hamas is relying on Qatar and Turkey to help soften President Trump's position so that it can retain light weapons and anti-tank arms. Hamas's military force is estimated at 30,000. Many are expected to remain in civilian clothing, continue receiving salaries from Hamas, and operate covertly. Gaza's civilian society still largely supports Hamas and its ideology, despite the enormous disaster it brought upon the population after Oct. 7. Hamas continues to grow stronger due to the massive flow of humanitarian aid trucks each day. Hamas imposes taxes on every shipment entering Gaza, generating revenue that it channels into military buildup. In practical terms, Hamas plans to remain in Gaza with thousands of armed militants alongside public sector employees in key positions within the civilian system, thereby ensuring its full control.