Hamas appears to be sensing that its rule may be in jeopardy in Gaza. As such it is now returning to its roots as a thuggish, mafia-like organization, and has been cracking down on Gazans who speak out or oppose its rule. This is part of a larger, more brutal process, that is playing out in Gaza as gunmen have massacred people seeking humanitarian aid.

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Escalating violence in Gaza
On Friday, gunmen in Gaza shot at civilians who were trying to obtain aid at the Kuwaiti roundabout which is in the southern Zaytun area, south of Gaza city. This area is near the Natzerim corridor that is controlled by the IDF. The gunmen operate in the area that is outside of IDF control.

The IDF said that “About an hour before the entry of the aid convoy last night [May 14], Palestinian gunmen were seen opening fire in the midst of a crowd of Gazan civilians. We emphasize that there was no opening of fire by IDF forces at the aid convoy in Kuwait Square. The IDF is continuing to examine the incident while making strenuous efforts to bring humanitarian aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip, while Hamas terrorists are harming the residents of Gaza and spreading lies with the purpose of blaming the State of Israel.”

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Hamas does not want to lose control over aid entering Gaza. Its recent murderous approach clearly indicates the lengths it will go to keep a hand on the aid and not let any other alternate authorities emerge. Hamas is now concentrating more on suppressing Gazans than fighting Israel.