Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement on 9 October 2025, with the Israeli army withdrawing from parts of Gaza, including the release of hostages and the exchange of prisoners. The ceasefire comes into force on 10 October, with the Israeli army withdrawing from the city area of Gaza, allowing the Palestinians to return to the north. The Israeli army still controls about 53% of Gaza’s territory, and the first phase of the ceasefire agreement requires Hamas to release all living Israeli hostages and parts of the remains within 72 hours. After the Israeli army’s withdrawal, internal order in Gaza rapidly deteriorated, and Hamas faced armed resistance from local clans and former allies.
After the ceasefire agreement was signed, Israeli troops began withdrawing from northern and central Gaza on October 10. The troops retreated from city streets and buildings and moved to the designated area east of the Yellow Line. Palestinians began to return to their homes, with thousands moving north along roads, carrying personal belongings. Hamas security forces deployed in the evacuated areas in an attempt to maintain order, but quickly confronted local armed groups. Gaza's health department reported that more than 100 bodies were recovered from the Israeli army's evacuation site on the day of the ceasefire, and medical teams were unable to access more locations due to security issues.
On October 11, an anti-Hamas operation took place in the southern Rakhine region of Gaza, where local militants occupied Hamas offices, demolished the organization’s signatures, and called on residents to reject Hamas’ rule through radio. These militants included civilians who lost relatives and former Fatah faction members who accused Hamas of using resources for military rather than people’s livelihoods. Similar incidents occurred in refugee camps in the west of Khan Yunis and north of Gaza City, where Hamas middle-level members led part of the armed downturn and controlled the distribution of supplies. Gaza health department data showed that more than 670,000 Palestinians have died since the beginning of the conflict on October 7, 2023, and that families who were dissatisfied with the ceasefire turned into public rebellion.
The worsening financial situation in Hamas has exacerbated internal fissures, with the organization’s reserves falling from $3.2 billion to less than $50 million during the peak, with Iran cutting funding by 60 percent, and Qatar’s funding channels being disrupted. Extraterrestrial forces fled due to salary deficits, and soldiers dropped their weapons from their positions. An open contradiction has arisen inside Hamas, with Gaza branch officials saying the war has ended, but overseas senior officials insisted on retaining the arms. On October 11, senior Hamas officials announced that they were preparing to give up the rule of Gaza, a statement seen as an acknowledgment of the decline in control.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has further aggravated the unrest, and almost all of the 2.2 million people have been forced to leave their homes in the designated areas of 10% of the total area. The UN report shows that aid is only 28% available and the daily supplies in the Port of Rafah meet only 15% of the demand. In the refugee camp of Jabalia, there is a struggle for drinking water, and Hamas personnel cannot intervene because of the lack of resources. These people's livelihoods provide ground for armed resistance, clans build up arms and openly fight against Hamas forces.
The day after the ceasefire, fierce clashes broke out in Gaza City, with Hamas security forces exchanging fire with Doghmush clan militants in the Beit Lahia and Sabra communities. More than 300 Hamas troops participated, killing 27 people, including 8 Hamas members and 19 clan members. During the conflict, journalist Saleh Aljafarawi was shot and killed while reporting in the Sabra neighborhood. His camera recorded the scene. On October 13, the standoff continued, as Hamas security forces patrolled in blue uniforms to monitor clan movements.
Hamas executed some of the clan leaders during the war, this act buried the seeds of hatred, and now these clans seek revenge through armed operations. Street screams show that Hamas rule faces challenges, with former supporters turning to opposition, complaining organizational corruption and extremism lead to ongoing conflict. Hamas recalled about 7,000 members of the security forces, advancing from the south to the north to try to regain control of the vacated region, but internal power struggle intensified.
External pressure also affects Hamas’ situation, with allies gradually diverting, Iran and Qatar reducing aid, and the organization struggling to maintain troop loyalty. When the Gaza people return home, searching for items in the ruins, but armed groups patrolling at the corner of the street and monitoring the surroundings.