The Resilience of Hamas: A Shadow of Its Former Self

Tue Oct 21 2025 13:02:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In the aftermath of the ongoing conflict, Hamas finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with internal strife and external challenges while sustaining its influence in Gaza.

The article explores Hamas's current status, highlighting its diminished power yet persistent control over Gaza amidst escalating violence and humanitarian crises. Analysts debate the organization's future role as it navigates through internal conflicts and pressure to relinquish its grip on governance.

The Resilience of Hamas: A Shadow of Its Former Self

As Hamas grapples with its current state of diminished authority, the organization faces profound challenges while attempting to reinforce its influence in Gaza amid a humanitarian crisis.

How does a group governing the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, known for its iron-fisted rule and repeated conflicts with Israel, suddenly consider laying down its arms? Reports from Gaza indicate that Hamas is not relinquishing control without a fight, as officials have been noted engaging in brutal tactics against perceived rivals and criminal elements exploiting the ongoing upheaval.

Images of beaten opponents and claims of extrajudicial killings paint a picture of a group eager to reassert its power following the ceasefire initiated on October 10. The situation remains fuelled by accusations that rival clans have been involved in diverting humanitarian aid, only exacerbating an already dire scenario.

In the complex landscape of Gaza, where order appears to be crumbling, many residents and analysts question the likelihood of Hamas relinquishing both arms and governance. An aid worker from Gaza noted that, despite Hamas's apparent incompetence in governance, the absence of control by better-qualified alternatives forces many to view them as a necessary evil in the face of anarchy.

Former Hamas advisers suggest the group is open to political recalibrations, comparing their potential evolution to that of apartheid-era South Africa's ANC. However, skepticism lingers among those within Gaza and the international community regarding Hamas’s genuine willingness to transform from militant group to political party.

This ongoing struggle begs critical questions: What does the future hold for Hamas, and can they truly escape their legacy of violence while maintaining their grip on power in Gaza? The road ahead remains fraught with instability, and amidst the looming threats, it appears that Hamas will be a key player in the region's dynamics for some time to come.