A Politicized Hamas and its Jihadist Rivals in Gaza

Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has ordered security forces to enforce a two-year-old cease-fire and stop militants from firing rockets into Israel. The order came after Hamas leaders met with local militant groups to agree to a cessation of rocket attacks in order to prevent an Israeli military operation in the Palestinian territory. While Hamas has hegemonic power in Gaza, it does not have a monopoly on militant force, and various militant groups — particularly hard-line Salafis — complicate its position.