Is Hamas back?

The sight of militants on the streets of Gaza since the ceasefire raises the possibility that they may again run the enclave.

Hamas militants hand over Doron Steinbrecher, one of the Israeli hostages, as part of a prisoner-hostage swap with Israel. Reuters

Heba Saleh and Neri Zilber

Jan 22, 2025 – 1.15pm

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Within hours of the Gaza ceasefire starting on Sunday, dozens of masked fighters from Hamas’ Qassam Brigades emerged in their distinctive black balaclavas and green headbands to deliver three hostages to Red Cross vehicles taking them back to freedom in Israel.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, had vowed to “destroy” the militant group in the wake of its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

Financial Times