Support for the Palestinian militant group has plummeted in Gaza since the start of the war with Israel, according to The Economist
Damaged buildings in Khan Yunis, Gaza on July 31, 2024 © Hassan Jedi/Anadolu via Getty Images
The October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas is viewed by many within the organization as a major “miscalculation” that has led to severe consequences for Gaza and undermined decades of Palestinian state-building efforts, according to The Economist. The publication cited Mohammed Daraghmeh, a Palestinian journalist with “good sources among Hamas’s leaders.”
In an article published on Thursday, The Economist reported that, following the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, the Palestinian militant group is facing internal dissent and potential changes as they reassess their strategy and leadership. “Hamas’s leaders realize that October 7 was a miscalculation,” Daraghmeh said.
Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed by a “short-range projectile” fired from outside his residence in the Iranian capital on Wednesday. Both Iran and Hamas blame Israel for the attack. Tehran has threatened West Jerusalem with “harsh punishment,” sparking concerns of further escalation in the region.
Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in the assassination. On Thursday, however, the Israeli military confirmed that the leader of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Deif, was killed in an airstrike in Gaza last month. Deif is widely considered one of the masterminds of the October 7 attack.
According to The Economist, the ten-month war with Israel has diminished Hamas’ reputation for maintaining order in Gaza, with support for the group’s rule in the enclave plummeting to under 5%. After the October 7 attack, the US pressured Qatar to expel Hamas leaders from their haven in Doha if they do not agree to a ceasefire with Israel.
The Economist also described an apparent change of mind within Hamas. While some within the group celebrate last year’s attack in October as a military achievement, “more pragmatic Hamas types” want the organization to be reconstituted “as a political movement,” rather than remain “a band of jihadist guerrillas,” the outlet said.
According to The Economist, one of the main frontrunners to replace Haniyeh – Khalil al-Haya – has suggested that Hamas could disarm.