An enemy from within: How Gazan militias became Hamas’s new nightmare – analysis

Gazan militias, not Israeli forces, conducted an operation deep inside the Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning, leading to a firefight and the arrest of a senior Hamas figure. This action highlights deep concerns within Hamas leadership regarding internal opposition. Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar reportedly advocated for supporting these anti-Hamas militias. The operation required IDF assistance for extraction, providing cover with ground and aerial strikes. This incident draws parallels to the IDF's 2018 Operation Tropical Fruit in Khan Yunis, which resulted in the death of an IDF officer and prompted Hamas to enhance its surveillance and security measures. Hamas has been actively confronting these internal militias through various means, including pursuing collaborators and critics, and expanding intelligence collection. The long-term security and diplomatic consequences of this recent operation remain to be seen, especially as the US seeks to de-escalate tensions and facilitate Gaza's reconstruction.