This show of force, welcomed by some Palestinians after months of lawlessness, could now threaten the fragile ceasefire, especially as all living hostages from Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack have been released.

The Hamas-run police maintained a high degree of public security after the militants seized power in Gaza 18 years ago while also cracking down on dissent. They largely melted away in recent months as Israeli forces seized large areas of Gaza and targeted Hamas security forces with airstrikes.