Part 9/17:
Analysts say this internal crackdown is a defensive move by Hamas to crush dissent and ensure no rival factions or clans threaten their rule. Every time Hamas perceives its control slipping, it retaliates with brutal force, reminiscent of its 2007 seizure of Gaza. Once again, the group is employing intimidation, arrests, and violence to remove threats from within—creating an atmosphere marked by fear and suspicion.
This internal purge raises concerns about Gaza descending into more factional violence, undermining prospects for any meaningful stability or international stabilization efforts. The territory risks fracturing into multiple zones controlled by various armed groups, each with its own guns and grievances, complicating diplomatic efforts and prolonging chaos.