Hamas is exploiting US-backed peace initiatives in Gaza to retain power in the Strip, leaked documents reportedly reveal.
The terror group's internal files show that some of its senior military commanders are being moved into civilian roles in order to establish a "shadow government", according to a new report from the Times of Israel.
This was apparently verified in an IDF submission to Prime Minister Netanyahu in January, which warned: "Hamas is advancing steps on the ground meant to preserve its influence and grip in the Gaza Strip ‘from the bottom up’ by means of integrating its supporters in government offices, security apparatuses, and local authorities.
On the orders of Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the leader of the al-Qassam Brigades, the group has appointed several district governors, as well as officials in the interior and finance ministries, with links to its military wing.
These roles are, under the US-backed peace plan, set to be absorbed into the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), the technocratic governing panel which will run the Strip under the auspices of the Board of Peace.
Hamas is also reportedly set to hand over comprehensive files on its governmental structure to the NCAG.
But al-Haddad has reportedly ordered that copies of all documents given to the new administration be made, allowing the group to maintain a list of government personnel.
And the Times of Israel also reports viewing orders issued by a Hamas brigade commander, suggesting that its intelligence apparatus remains well established in Gaza, including ongoing surveillance at multiple hospitals.
Another key finding, though, is that the files suggest Hamas believes renewed military clashes with Israel to be inevitable, suggesting that it does not intend to stick to the ceasefire, particularly on the issue of disarmament, as officials have stated publicly.
Israel has already criticised the makeup of the NCAG after it was confirmed that Ali Shaath, former deputy minister of the Palestinian Authority (PA), would be its inaugural chair.
The announcement from Washington came despite previous assurances from the Trump administration that neither the PA nor Hamas would have any involvement in post-war governance.
One source, though, told Reuters: “Shaath may have the key to the car, and he may even be allowed to drive, but it is a Hamas car.”
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