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Hamas Tightens Grip in Gaza
(Reuters) Nidal Al-Mughrabi - "Hamas is advancing steps on the ground meant to preserve its influence and grip in Gaza 'from the bottom up' by means of integrating its supporters in government offices, security apparatuses and local authorities," the Israeli military said in a document presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in late January. Israeli military officials say Hamas, which refuses to disarm, has been taking advantage of an October ceasefire to reassert control in areas vacated by Israeli troops. Hamas has named five district governors, all of them with links to its armed al-Qassam Brigades, according to two Palestinian sources. It has also replaced senior officials in Gaza's economy and interior ministries, which manage taxation and security, the sources said. A U.S.-backed committee of Palestinian technocrats headed by Ali Shaath, a former Palestinian Authority official, "may have the key to the car, and he may even be allowed to drive, but it is a Hamas car," a source said. Hamas has focused on maintaining public order and collecting taxes in its side of the Yellow Line dividing Gaza. "There is no opposition to Hamas within the Yellow Line now, and it is taking over all economic aspects of daily life," an Israeli military official said.