Hamas’s Grip on Gaza Falters as Desperate Civilians Embrace U.S.-Backed Aid

In a dramatic turn of events in the Gaza Strip, Hamas is grappling with a severe legitimacy crisis as desperate civilians defy the terrorist group’s threats and flock to U.S.- and Israel-backed aid centers for survival. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has emerged as a lifeline, distributing thousands of food boxes—totaling over 800,000 meals in just two days—while Hamas scrambles to maintain its crumbling grip on power.

Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since ousting Fatah in 2007, is facing mounting public discontent. Once a dominant force, its influence is waning as Gazans, battered by war and starvation, turn to external aid to meet basic needs. The group’s threats to punish civilians accepting foreign aid have backfired, with chaotic scenes of desperate crowds overwhelming distribution sites. On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired warning shots to manage the chaos, with conflicting reports of casualties—Hamas claims one death and dozens injured, while GHF denies any fatalities.

Joe Truzman, a senior analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told WTFNewsRoom, "Hamas is more concerned with preserving its authority than feeding its people. By opposing this U.S.-Israel aid mechanism, they’re exposing their priorities." This shift has stripped Hamas of its control over aid flows, once a tool to secure loyalty and patronage. Now, sidelined, the group resorts to propaganda, painting the aid efforts as dangerous to justify its return to power.

Gazans, however, are speaking out. One civilian, quoted by the Center for Peace Communications, vented frustration: "Hamas does nothing for us. The Americans are handing out rations while those ruling Gaza let us starve." Public anger is palpable, with growing calls for Hamas to release hostages taken on October 7, 2023, end the war, and even leave the Strip entirely.

Despite logistical challenges, GHF’s operations are scaling up, delivering hope alongside meals. Yet, Truzman warns that Hamas’s hardline leadership—battle-hardened and ideologically rigid—may not yield easily. As aid flows expose Hamas’s governance failures, the group’s hold on Gaza hangs by a thread. If this new system proves effective, it could reshape public sentiment, further eroding Hamas’s legitimacy.