Israel is often accused of committing war crimes against innocent Palestinians dwelling in Gaza. The Jewish state holds the foremost position in getting regularly chastised at the hands of United Nations and numerous Human Rights organisations. For Instance, the UN adopted 17 resolutions against Israel last year alone-almost three times compared with the rest of the world. However, the same organisations and governing bodies find themselves impuissant when it comes to act upon the misdeeds of Palestinians Hamas – like terror groups.
In Hamas ruled Gaza, the story is no different. Consequently, disenchanted and disgruntled Palestinians are now taking upon themselves to deal a crushing blow to the menace.
As reported in Jerusalem Post, Palestinians are now accusing Hamas of storing weapons and deadly explosives in the residential areas of Gaza, where recurring explosions have thinned the patience of poor Palestinians who regularly keep losing their lives in such incidents. The same happened on Thursday morning when a scathing explosion rocked the overcrowded Al-Zawiya market area located in the center of Gazan city.
Read More: The useless war waged by Hamas on Israel has led to a severe mental distress among common Israelis
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip said that the explosion took place in a warehouse used by Hamas for storing weapons. Palestinian sources said that 69-year-old Atta Ahmed Saqallah died and 14 civilians were injured in the explosion, including six children. Also, the adjacent houses and building suffered major defacements and damages.
Palestinian factions and Human rights groups are now calling on Hamas and other terror groups to immediately bring halt to their illicit practices and stop risking lives of innocent Palestinians. A thorough investigation is also being demanded by these rights groups. Hamas, on its part, has vowed to launch an investigation on the attacks without providing any further detail.
Palestinian Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights seems to lead the crusade against Hamas’ hostility. A statement released by the center read, “Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights in Gaza views the explosion incident with grave seriousness, as there have been repeated incidents of internal explosions in houses in overcrowded residential neighborhoods for various reasons in the past, which resulted in the killing of a number of civilians and the destruction of homes and public and private properties.”
Read More: Power, support and hammering of Fatah: What Hamas won even after losing to Israel
Undoubtedly, Hamas has been abundantly successful in garnering the enormous popularity after the 11-day war that it conveniently turned into a political maneuver against Mahmoud Abbas led Fatah and Palestinian Authority. Mahmoud Abbas has, at times, tried to assert himself over Palestinian Authority; however, he has completely lost the plot in Palestine’s political arena. Mahmoud Abbas’s refusal to conduct elections that were supposed to be held in May also impacted his legitimacy. That resulted in an unrivaled political triumph for the militant organisation after the bloody war ended with a fragile ceasefire.
Much for Hamas’ dismay, the massive political support that it gained during the 11-day-war has started to wane of late. When it comes to maintaining peace in the region, Palestinians know that a Hamas-ruled Palestinian Authority would be no less than a disaster for the peace-loving fractions on the both sides of border with Israel. That the Palestinians are now accusing Hamas of putting their innocent lives at risk against Israeli airstrikes speaks volumes of the disillusion that sulking Palestinians harness for Hamas.
Hamas has been able to project itself as the true protector of the Palestinian cause. However, by and large, it has done so at the expense of Palestinian civilians which it uses like cattle fodder against Israeli actions. Palestinians do not like Mahmoud Abbas for sure; however, they do not posses any affection for Hamas either. That means, despite a significant political uprising against Fatah, a status quo is anticipated to be maintained in Gaza for the time being. The road to power still remains a minefield for Hamas.