Hamas terrorists have been working to systematically tighten their ties with clan and tribal leaders in the Gaza Strip to strengthen their position before the slated technocratic administration takes control of the area, KAN Reshet Bet reported on Wednesday.
The terror group has been promoting figures who have ties to the group to key positions within clan structures via both elections to clan councils and the appointment of local administrators, known as "muktars," the report noted.
Earlier this month, Palestinians familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post that despite Hamas’s stated willingness to hand over authority to a technocratic committee, the terrorist group will not relinquish its power.
"Hamas hasn’t declared an end to its rule in the Gaza Strip," a senior Palestinian official in Ramallah told the Post on July 6.
"What they have done is announce the dissolution of what they call the emergency committee. But at the same time, they immediately declared that another temporary governing body would run the [Gaza] Strip and appointed someone to head it."
The report claimed that in an effort to strengthen its position, the terror group has been providing incentives and benefits to clans that work alongside it, including assisting in resolving conflicts between family members, as well as allowing access to humanitarian assistance and privileges, in order to ensure the clans’ dependence on Hamas terror leaders.
Hamas places leaders in administrative positions over regional neighborhoods, refugee camps, displaced persons' tent villages
Palestinian security officials testified that they have identified an increased effort by Hamas terrorists to place loyal figures as heads of regional neighborhood committees within both refugee camps and displaced persons’ tent villages, KAN reported.
This was done to boost Hamas’s grip on Gazan civilians, the sources told KAN. The same sources also told KAN that there is an intention within the terror group to influence local elements in favor of its goals, maintain civil stability according ot the terror group’s perception, reduce “anarchy,” and increase the group’s oversight capabilities.
Within the strip, Hamas has created shelter and relief communities within displaced tent camps, the Post understands.
Within these camps, it has positioned members of committees that are meant to take care of people, provide services, and manage provisions of services to Gazans there. Using this as cover, Hamas terror leaders have gained a foothold in the local population, serving as a tool to control the populace, as the committee members report everything to Hamas and oversee what goes on within the camps, the Post learned.
Additionally, institutions such as Gaza’s chamber of commerce have remained closely under Hamas control.
Hamas threatens to remove benefits for attendees of anti-terror group protest
In the build-up to the anti-Hamas protest a few weeks ago, the group threatened that anyone who participated in the protests would be punished and expelled from the camps, the Post learned.
Hamas has control over some of the Gazan clans. Even if the clans would prefer not to be aligned with Hamas, they are forced to do so due to the power that the terror group has.
When Hamas announced that it was dissolving its governing body in the Gaza Strip, some clan representatives held a press conference echoing Hamas’s statements in order to give the terror group legitimacy.
This is an old tactic Hamas uses with clans and families in order to subject them to its authority.
Dana Ben-Shimon contributed to this report.