A defiant Hamas displays its authority in Gaza, posing a challenge to Netanyahu

Hamas’ signaling comes as the exceptionally fragile ceasefire is presenting daily challenges to both sides. 

On Saturday, Israel accused Hamas of violating the agreement by not releasing the civilian hostage Arbel Yehud and blocked the Netzarim corridor, stopping displaced Palestinians from returning north.

“There is profound mistrust that exists between both sides,” said Ghada Soliman, a Middle East analyst at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. “It may collapse at any moment.” 

Eventually, meditators resolved the dispute and Israel allowed access on Monday.

Convoys of fighters

As the ceasefire unfolds, Hamas has resumed everyday operations

Convoys of fighters made their way through Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Jan. 20, according to video shot by NBC News in Gaza that showed crowds chanting slogans, “We are your men, Mohammad Deif,” in reference to the top commander of Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, who Israel says it killed in an airstrike last year.

Nearby, with his whistle and deep blue police uniform, Abdul Wahab Abdul Raouf Samour waved through traffic.

He was among the many officers who had been called back to work, he said.

“We received orders from the Ministry of Interior to wear our police uniforms and take to the streets to assist citizens and manage traffic in the area,” Samour, 40, told the NBC News crew.