The Gaza Strip endured a devastating war lasting over 15 months between Hamas and Israel, beginning in October 2023 and ending with a ceasefire in January 2025. The war left widespread destruction of infrastructure, immense human losses, and an unprecedented deterioration in living conditions. This has led many Palestinians to question Hamas’ ability to govern the territory. As suffering increased, voices calling for Hamas to step down and make way for new political solutions began to grow, offering hope for Gaza’s residents.
Reasons for the Loss of Trust in Hamas’ Rule
After years of Hamas’ control over Gaza, public discontent reached an all-time high during the latest war due to several key factors, including:
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Devastating War Consequences: The war destroyed thousands of homes and severely damaged infrastructure, leading to an economic collapse that resulted in widespread poverty and unemployment.
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International Isolation: Hamas’ policies placed it in continuous confrontation with the international community, tightening the blockade on Gaza and increasing its diplomatic isolation, making it harder to secure aid and development opportunities.
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Lack of Political Solutions: The movement failed to achieve any political or diplomatic breakthroughs, worsening the humanitarian crisis, especially with no clear strategy to end the ongoing crises.
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Public Discontent: With thousands of casualties and many losing their homes and livelihoods, people increasingly felt that Hamas had not considered the consequences of its actions, fueling anger and frustration among Palestinians.
Calls for Hamas to Step Down
Following the war, demands for a major shift in governance have intensified within and outside Gaza. Many believe that Hamas is no longer capable of leading the territory after the devastation caused by the conflict. Key demands include:
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Internal Calls for Change: Various sectors of society, including academics and economic figures, are advocating for an end to Hamas’ rule and the establishment of new leadership capable of restoring stability and alleviating the suffering of Gaza’s residents.
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Arab and International Pressure: Regional countries and international institutions view Hamas as an obstacle to Gaza’s reconstruction efforts and are pushing for new political solutions that ensure long-term stability.
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Moves Towards National Reconciliation: Some advocate for ending Palestinian division by reinstating the Palestinian Authority’s governance in Gaza to facilitate reconstruction, reopen crossings, and ease the blockade.
Future Scenarios
With confidence in Hamas’ leadership declining, several possible outcomes may shape Gaza’s future post-war:
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Hamas Maintains Power: Despite public discontent, Hamas may attempt to hold onto power, which could lead to further isolation and economic decline, increasing internal protests.
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Political Reforms: Hamas might be forced to implement internal reforms or share power with other factions to alleviate internal and external pressures.
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Transfer of Authority: Gaza could witness political dialogue leading to the return of the Palestinian Authority or the formation of a new government with regional and international support to oversee governance and reconstruction.
Uncertain Future for Gaza’s Leadership
Following the war, many have lost confidence in Hamas’ rule, believing it has led to an unprecedented humanitarian and economic catastrophe in Gaza. As calls for its departure grow louder, the future of governance in the territory remains uncertain. However, fundamental changes are needed to restore stability and pave the way for new political solutions that can end Gaza’s recurring crises.