In the permanent-structured refugee camp Jabaliya just north of Gaza City, 21 family members were burned alive likely due to unspecified gas leakage issues that power local generators. Although basic electricity lines and all standard necessities are often supplied to the Gaza Strip by Israel, the ruling party and terrorist organization Hamas have been consistently failing to distribute the resources properly. This semi-anarchical situation plays a key role in ensuring the terrorist organization maintains a strong hold over the Gazan population, helping Hamas maintain the current regime.

Gaza building fire kills 21https://t.co/7L4Pb5IM75

— vitoguadagnano (@vitoguadagnan11) November 22, 2022

Although there are many variables in the equation that makes up Hamas's rule in Gaza, there is one specific aspect that was taken straight from ‘totalitarianism 101’, controlling the flow of essential life-saving resources reaching the public. With the absence of any PA authorities, Hamas has gained true sovereignty of the entire Strip while taking control of the area's resources supplied by Israel and many others. Another perfect example of the careless policies implemented by Hamas would be the 2012 fuel crisis in Gaza.

In late 2011, after terminating all purchases of fuel from Israel, out of petty political protesting, the regime turned Egypt into their only source of fuel. Naturally and after some internal conflicts, the amount of legal and illegal Egyptian fuel flowing into Gaza was not enough and a severe fuel shortage quickly developed into a full-blown crisis. Medical services became limited, blackouts were a daily occurrence and petrol could be mistaken for gold. 

Deadly fire killed 21 people in #Gaza—including kids. There’s been no investigation, the exact causes are unknown. Even Hamas didn’t have the gall to blame #Israel. But #DisgustingBBC did👇! With no evidence whatsoever, institutionally antisemitic @BBC @BBCWorld blames the #Jews. pic.twitter.com/Rqx9FBqIOs

— P-IP #JusticeforMalkiRoth (@p_inc_p) November 19, 2022

A report from Reuters at the time published responses from locals who were extremely frustrated.  “If Hamas calls itself a government they should find solutions. If there was unity, many of these problems would cease to exist,” a 41-year-old civil servant called Saed Salem told reporters. The fuel situation has since never fully recovered, but Gazans were relieved somewhat by Egyptian-negotiated deals between Israel and Hamas. 

The common narrative fabricated by many news organizations is that Israeli sanctions are responsible for the majority of economic struggles in Gaza. In reality, lifting any existing sanctions or further restricting resources would have no effect on the people of Gaza since Hamas applies heavy taxes on all goods; using the money for military purposes. It has been reported that Qatar alone transfers $10 million to Gaza monthly for those in need, meanwhile, entire average families are expected to live off monthly wages below $1000.  

21+ Palestinians killed in a fire in Gaza.

~ a few hours later ~

Hamas: Now is a good time to start test firing some rockets.

Seems like the only sensible thing for them to do, right? 🤦‍♂️ https://t.co/wrxmLFS48i

— Noah Lewis (@realNoahJacoby) November 18, 2022

Hamas usually backs their taxes and tremendous use of energy by claiming it is for the fight against the “Zionist Occupation” and the improvement of Palestinian livelihood. However, the toll of such a cause in itself is harmful to suffering Gazans struggling with the daily hardships that can all be connected to the regime.

Hamas is not blind to the fiscal situation and recognizes they must present results to the public in some fashion, war. The terrorist group has grown accustomed to receiving large amounts of money from many nations at the end of IDF operations within Gaza. No matter how many billions of dollars enter Gaza throughout the years, Hamas will always get its hands on it before the locals do. 

Despite recognizing an issue with Hamas's control, Western countries remain conflicted and are forced to continue the funding due to some genuine humanitarian concerns. For example, a German-led European effort in 2021 allocated $70 million towards “water projects” within Gaza. The nations involved likely knew very well that Hamas will do as they see fit with the generous donation, yet could not in good conscience refrain from pushing forward with it. 

"We mistakenly believe that a gas link [in Gaza or Egypt] will lower temptations to attack our links” and that prosperity on the other side will reduce hostility. “I don’t believe it’s true,” he said.

— Sonya Tishkovsky (@sonyatish) November 15, 2022

The pattern of philanthropy turned into Hamas terrorism, between the entire world and Gaza has direct consequences on the Gaza people, and the adoption of this reality has been designed quite perfectly by Palestinian terrorists throughout the decades. Hamas is not only using the people of Gaza as physical human shields but as a bargaining token. 

Hamas’s flawed governance is just another issue within the broader threat tormenting Palestinians more so than Israel and all Westerners combined, the Palestinian leadership. It is time that all Arabs living behind the bars of PA, Hamas, and all other local authorities, free themselves from the shackles of corrupt elites and their systemic punishment of Gazan residents.