Government differences: Palestinian factions argue over the future of Gaza

Hamas' plans to maintain influence in the Gaza Strip during the transition period are causing more and more contradictions between the Palestinian factions and calling into question the implementation of the American peace plan. The Fatah movement called on Hamas not to give Israel a reason for a new escalation. Munzir al-Hayek, a representative of the movement in Gaza, told Izvestia about this. According to him, there should be no place for Hamas in the post—war period - only the Palestinian authority is capable of assuming control of the exclave. He added that 5,000 police officers are currently being trained in Egypt to maintain security in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, disputes are intensifying within Palestinian society about who will determine the future of Gaza after the war.

Palestinian police officers are being trained in Egypt

The Fatah movement called on the Palestinian factions to refrain from any actions that could serve as a reason for a new Israeli escalation. Munzir al-Hayek, a representative of the movement in the Gaza Strip, told Izvestia that a return to war is unacceptable, and security must be ensured exclusively within the framework of the law.

On October 19, the IDF reported a violation of the truce by Hamas: Israeli soldiers were shelled in Rafah, two were killed. Israel retaliated against Gaza, attacking about 100 targets. According to the Palestinians, 45 people were killed in the strikes. Hamas denies involvement, saying it does not control the south of the strip.

— We warned the Hamas movement not to give Israel a reason to resume the war. Unfortunately, there have been some violations, and we categorically reject them. However, there are changes in behavior, and we hope that Hamas will hear this," Munzir al-Hayek told Izvestia.

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According to the Fatah representative, after the end of hostilities, some armed groups committed street violence and arbitrary arrests of citizens. Fatah believes that such actions damage the image of the Palestinian resistance and give Israel a reason to resume military operations. All cases of violence, according to al-Hayek, should be investigated by official authorities, and the perpetrators brought to justice through the courts.

Earlier, Hamas militants, seeking to regain control of the sector, carried out a series of public executions and special operations against groups challenging its authority, killing at least 32 people. Videos of the shootings have been shared on social media and have caused widespread condemnation, with Hamas calling them "legitimate measures" against "collaborators" for their ties to Israel. Hamas claims that such steps reflect the "need to maintain order on the ground" and protect humanitarian convoys from armed gangs.

"We want the Palestinian National Authority to deploy the national security forces that are currently being trained in Egypt, numbering 5,000 Palestinian police officers, and that they ensure order and security in Gaza,— the Fatah representative said.

Hamas wants to stay in power

The Fatah representative stressed that the formation of a new government should take place on a technocratic basis, without the inclusion of representatives of factions. Only an independent government can begin to rebuild the sector and attract international assistance.

— In the first months, we demanded that Hamas withdraw from the administrative and governmental sphere in order not to participate in governance. We fully understand that there will be no relief and reconstruction in Gaza if Hamas continues to rule. Hamas wants to keep power, but we demand their departure. We reject the presence of factions in the future [technocratic] government," Munzir al-Hayek clarified.

Meanwhile, according to Israeli broadcaster Kan, Hamas is secretly involved in shaping the future technocratic government in Gaza. As noted, it was Hamas that approved about half of the future ministers, choosing candidates loyal to the movement, while the second part of the composition was formed by the Palestinian Authority. Arab intermediaries, according to the channel, are aware of such steps. In fact, this allows the movement to maintain some control over the Gaza Strip even after the end of the war.

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas entered into force on October 10, 2025. As part of the first phase of US President Donald Trump's peace plan, Hamas released all living hostages and gradually returned the bodies of the dead, while Israel withdrew troops to the agreed line and released about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Trump's plan excludes the direct or indirect involvement of Hamas in the management of the sector. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other representatives of the government have repeatedly stated that Israel intends to achieve the complete elimination of the movement as a military and political force.

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However, Muhammad Nazzal, a member of the Hamas political bureau, told Reuters that the group was not ready to disarm, and a truce of up to five years would allow it to focus on rebuilding the destroyed sector. According to him, a technocratic administration will take over civilian management during the transition period, while Hamas will maintain security control during this phase.

The participation of Hamas in the formation of a new body could disrupt the implementation of the American peace plan, Iraqi expert Safaa al-Assam explained to Izvestia.

"The very fact that Hamas representatives are involved in the process of forming a transitional government casts doubt on the key idea of the American initiative — the demilitarization of Gaza and the transfer of control to forces unrelated to armed groups," the expert said.

He stressed that Washington considers any presence of Hamas in government structures as a violation of the preliminary agreements. As a result, the movement's participation, even in a limited form, may lead to the freezing or revision of part of the agreements between the United States, Israel and the countries of the region.

— The differences between Fatah and Hamas remain fundamental. This is not only about the distribution of power, but also about different political approaches to the very concept of "sector management," al-Assam noted.

According to him, Fatah insists on forming a neutral technocratic cabinet without the participation of factions, while Hamas seeks to maintain influence through law enforcement agencies. The expert stressed that there is no trust between the parties, and security control remains the main source of tension.

The agency notes that the positions of Hamas and the US plan for Gaza differ. Washington expects that after the transition phase, security in the enclave will be provided by the international stabilization mission, but representatives of the movement claim that they have not received such proposals.

President Trump said that Hamas would have to disarm, otherwise it would be forced, but temporarily the group is allowed to control internal security in Gaza.