Part 6/11:
Should Hamas decide to reduce its governance role, questions arise about who would fill the power vacuum. The Palestinian Authority (PA), which has been absent from Gaza since 2007, faces widespread distrust among Gazans. Both the population and international donors are wary of granting the PA control, fearing corruption or incompetence. Consequently, smaller militant groups, clan militias, Iran-backed factions, and criminal elements could vie for power—destabilizing the region further. Such disorder risks sparking a "pseudo civil war," with factions claiming to defend Palestinians while undermining peace efforts.