GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — As soon as Gaza escaped a bloody and cruel war with Israel that lasted 50 days, it entered a spiral of bombings and lawlessness. The last three months have seen shootings, bombings and local institutions stormed and robbed. The security services have made no arrests, and Gaza's citizens are now back to the years of security chaos that preceded Hamas’ takeover of the Strip in 2007.
Periodic reports issued by the Independent Commission for Human Rights show a rise in crime in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of 2015. Starting November 2014, there has been an increase in bombings, car burnings, kidnappings, theft and shootings, most notably the assassination attempt of Fatah leader Mamoun Sweidan on Feb. 16.
