A series of recent reports from Gaza show that since the Cast Lead operation earlier this year, Hamas has acted to tighten its control over the area.
According to the Jordanian daily Al-Hakika al-Douliya, Hamas is planning changes in its armed forces. A Hamas source told the paper that dozens of commanders may be replaced, in a move meant to reduce the number of Gaza Arabs killed by Hamas's armed forces. Several Gaza residents were killed in accidental shootings in recent months.
In addition, Hamas loyalists are being selected to replace members of rival groups even in fields such as education and health care, while changes are made in the armed forces.
Dozens of workers in the Hamas-run Education Ministry in Gaza were recently fired, among them school principals and other senior administrators. Those who were dismissed are members of the Fatah terrorist group, while those who were hired to replace them are all loyal to Hamas.
The dismissed workers filed a complaint with Lamis Alami, the Palestinian Authority official in charge of education, demanding that she stop cooperating with Hamas education officials in protest of the sackings.
The changes in the education system were made shortly after Hamas took control of the Overseas Referral Department of the Gaza medical system. The office determines which patients are referred to further care outside of Gaza, and to which country.
Hamas's seizure of the office has made it difficult for patients to seek care abroad, as the Hamas-run Gaza PA and the Fatah-run PA in Judea and Samaria refuse to coordinate. Israel and Egypt are willing to allow Gaza residents to enter their territory for care – but only with approval from the PA.
The PA has refused to pay for care in Israel, out of fear that Israeli care for sick and wounded Arabs gives Israel good publicity. Hamas is willing to fund treatment for only a fraction of those given permits to seek care outside Gaza.
Hamas is also funding other terrorist groups, in what may be an attempt to gain control over its political rivals. According to members of the People's Resistance Committee (PRC) terrorist group in Gaza, Hamas is supporting the group's Salah a-Din brigades, providing the brigades with cash and weapons.