A recent series of events send a clear signal that Hamas is losing its grip on the Gaza Strip. According to a security source in the Palestinian Authority (PA), these events may bring down Hamas’ rule. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said that although it is too early to make an educated guess as to how long the “dying process” might take, it is, indeed, occurring on two levels: in the deterioration of the humanitarian situation, and in the weakening of Hamas’ security control and the deterrent edge of its military wing over the other armed groups.
On Feb. 19, the aid convoy led by Mohammed al-Emadi, chairman of Qatar's Gaza Reconstruction Committee, was attacked. Emadi was on his way to a press conference he had arranged at the Shifa Hospital to announce a Qatari financial contribution that would ease the severe shortage of equipment and medications, at least in the near future. Emadi never imagined that he would be confronted by furious Gaza residents, even before entering the hospital.
Once inside the hospital, Emadi was again attacked, this time by the cleaning staff, who threw shoes at him to protest not having received their salaries. The show of fury continued after Emadi left the hospital. His convoy of cars was stoned by protesters, who called on him to stop providing assistance indirectly — that is, to institutions and organizations — and to instead give directly to the people, for the benefit of the hungry residents in Gaza. The protesters dared not say out loud what many Gaza residents whisper to one another lest they be overheard by Hamas: They fear that the money will never reach them because it will end up in Hamas’ pockets.
A journalist in Gaza who witnessed the protests near the hospital told Al-Monitor that although the Qatari envoy needed the Palestinian security apparatus to protect him, he wasn’t the real target of the people's anger. “They took out [their anger] on him because they want him to understand the message that they can’t say publicly, lest they come to harm,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The journalist explained that Gaza residents are still too intimidated, at this stage, to protest against Hamas' leaders, but in his opinion it’s only a matter of time. “They have nothing to lose,” he said.
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