Masked gunmen rode in white pickup trucks and paraded through the streets of Gaza as supporters chanted the name of Hamas' military wing as a ceasefire took effect in Gaza on Sunday. By sending its fighters in an unmistakable show of force, Hamas was trying to send an unequivocal message to the Palestinians in Gaza, Israel and the international community: despite heavy casualties among Hamas fighters, police officers, political leaders and political leaders during the war. Government administrators remain the dominant Palestinian force in Gaza.
“The message is that Hamas is 'the next day' for war,” said Ibrahim Madhoun, a Turkey-based Hamas analyst, referring to the future administration of Gaza.
“They convey that Hamas should be part of, or at least be associated with, any future deal.”
On Sunday, the Hamas-run government media office announced that thousands of police officers had begun to be deployed throughout the area to “maintain security and order”. According to the media office, government ministries and agencies are ready to start work “in accordance with the government's plan to implement all measures to guarantee the restoration of normal life.”
At least three uniformed police officers stood at the Nasser Medical Complex in the southern city of Khan Younis as the Palestinian national anthem played in the background, according to a video posted on social media and confirmed by The New York Times.
Later on Sunday, dozens of uniformed and armed Hamas militants were seen near a vehicle holding Israeli hostages before they were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City's Saraya Square. Militants tried to push away the crowd pressing towards the car.
Even as Hamas tries to project that it still controls Gaza and plans to play a key role in its governance, its future there remains uncertain. Israeli officials have strongly suggested that they have not given up on their stated war objective of defeating Hamas' military wing and government, and that they may resume the war against the militant group after the release of some hostages.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Sunday that the rule of Hamas is dangerous for Israel's security and stressed that Israel does not agree to a permanent ceasefire that leaves Hamas in power.
“We are determined to achieve the goals of the war,” he said.
While some analysts say Israel may eventually remove Hamas from power, others say it will struggle to resume the war in the face of international pressure. And even so, those analysts say, Israeli forces will face enormous difficulties in removing Hamas from Gaza without an outright invasion.
Ali Jarbawi, a professor of political science at Birzeit University, said Sunday's parades by Hamas in Gaza were more than a message to the international community that it was in control. They also reflect the reality on the ground, he said.
“Hamas was there before the war and they are there now,” he said.
Aritz Parra contributed to the report.