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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">US plot for Gaza in shambles
amid continued popular support for Hamas</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Al Mayadeen
English</div>
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<div class="gmail-reader-estimated-time" dir="ltr">November
17, 2025</div>
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<p>Support for Hamas continues and grows in Gaza following
the ceasefire, as its role in restoring security and
resisting the Israeli occupation challenges Trump\u2019s
disarmament plan.</p>
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<a
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alt="Hamas fighters stand in formation as they prepare for the ceremony of Israeli captive hand over to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP)"
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Hamas fighters stand in formation as they prepare
for the ceremony of Israeli captive handover to
the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip,
Feb. 22, 2025. (<em>AP</em>)
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<p>The Palestinian Resistance movement, Hamas, has seen
a notable rise in popular support across Gaza
following the latest ceasefire, presenting a major <a
href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-hamas-rapprochement-worries-israeli-officials--israeli-me"
target="_blank" rel="noopener"
moz-do-not-send="true">obstacle to US President
Donald Trump</a>\u2019s disarmament-centered scheme for
the Gaza Strip, the <em>Wall Street Journal</em>
reported. </p>
<p>A key driver of increased support has been the
restoration of security. In the aftermath of the
ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli occupation
forces, Hamas fighters swiftly returned to the streets
as internal security and police forces. Their presence
curbed lawlessness, restored public order, and
reinforced their role as a pillar of resistance and
governance.</p>
<p>The overwhelming sentiment in Gaza has favored the
stability brought about by the Resistance group\u2019s
return to policing duties. Many Palestinians credit
the Resistance with safeguarding daily life in the
face of external aggression and internal instability
caused by the Israeli intentional attacks on civil
servants and the arming and supporting of local gangs.</p>
<p>In this context, Hazem Sarour, a 22-year-old
businessman in Gaza City, stated, "We witnessed a
collapse, thieves, thugs, and lawlessness. <a
href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/gaza-resistance-forces-arrest-collaborators--seize-militia-p"
target="_blank" rel="noopener"
moz-do-not-send="true">No one could stop it except
Hamas</a>. That\u2019s why people support them."</p>
<p><strong>Read more: <a
href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/gaza-resistance-forces-arrest-collaborators--seize-militia-p"
target="_blank" rel="noopener"
moz-do-not-send="true">Gaza Resistance forces
arrest collaborators, seize militia positions</a></strong></p>
<h2>UN aid now reaches the people</h2>
<p>Before the truce, over <a
href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/unrwa---israel--violating-law-by-blocking-urgent-gaza-aid-de"
target="_blank" rel="noopener"
moz-do-not-send="true">80% of UN aid was looted or
intercepted</a> by desperate civilians or armed
gangs, according to the UN Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).</p>
<p>But last month, only about 5% of aid was disrupted,
thanks in part to the deployment of Hamas\u2019 internal
security forces, known locally as the \u201cBlue Police,\u201d
who have successfully cracked down on theft and
ensured aid distribution.</p>
<p>This return to order, paired with continued support
and allegiance to the armed resistance against the
Israeli occupation, has allowed Hamas to maintain
trust among the people of Gaza, extending its
influence both as a Resistance force and as a
governing body.</p>
<h2>Polls corroborate sentiments</h2>
<p>A recent poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy
and Survey Research shows a significant shift in
public opinion in favor of Hamas. The survey found
that <strong>51%</strong> of Gazans viewed the
group\u2019s performance during the war positively, up from
<strong>43%</strong> in May and <strong>39%</strong>
just over a year ago.</p>
<p>Additionally, <strong>41%</strong> of respondents
said they <a
href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/winning-world-cup-easier-than-demilitarizing-gaza--ex-shin-b"
target="_blank" rel="noopener"
moz-do-not-send="true">would vote for Hamas in a
future election</a>, the highest level of support
since December 2023.</p>
<p>These numbers reflect a growing appreciation for the
Resistance\u2019s resilience and ability to provide
stability in the face of continued aggression and
blockade.</p>
<h2>Palestinians reject foreign control and disarmament
demands</h2>
<p>The increasing support for Hamas complicates attempts
to disarm the Resistance to open up the way for
Israeli publicly announced ethnic cleansing plans,
under the guise of a promised but not guaranteed
withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces and their
replacement with a foreign force.</p>
<p>But the people of Gaza are far from embracing such
conditions. According to the same poll, <strong>55%</strong>
rejected the idea of disarming Hamas, and <strong>52%</strong>
<a
href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hamas--other-factions-urge-algeria-to-reject-us-gaza-forces"
target="_blank" rel="noopener"
moz-do-not-send="true">opposed the entry of any
international force</a> tasked with dismantling the
Resistance.</p>
<p>\u201cThis majority shows that even those who may not
align politically with Hamas still see the importance
of maintaining arms for national defense,\u201d said Khalil
Shikaki, head of the polling center. \u201cThere\u2019s deep
concern over Israel\u2019s true objective, and fears of
chaos in the absence of an organized Resistance.\u201d</p>
<p>Over the past two years, Hamas has borne the brunt of
immense sacrifices in defense of the Palestinian
people, particularly during repeated escalations and
full-scale assaults by the Israeli occupation on the
Gaza Strip.</p>
<p>Thousands of <a
href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/ceasefire-in-name-only--gaza-death-toll-nears-70-000"
target="_blank" rel="noopener"
moz-do-not-send="true">fighters and civilians have
been martyred</a>, infrastructure targeted, and
entire communities displaced, all while the Resistance
remained steadfast. Despite these challenges, Hamas
has secured notable achievements, most significantly
the successful negotiation of a prisoner exchange that
led to the release of Palestinian detainees held in
Israeli prisons.</p>
<p>This operation not only demonstrated the movement\u2019s
strategic leverage but also reaffirmed its unwavering
commitment to defending Palestinian rights and
resisting occupation through all available means.</p>
<p><strong>Read more: <a
href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hamas-hails-prisoner-release-as-national-milestone-for-pales"
target="_blank" rel="noopener"
moz-do-not-send="true">Hamas hails prisoner
release as national milestone for Palestine</a></strong></p>
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