Masked Vigilantes Patrol Gaza Amid Police Absence

Formed by Hamas and other factions, the People's Protection Committees aim to maintain order and control prices, raising mixed feelings among residents.

• Masked vigilantes, known as the People's Protection Committees, patrol the streets of Rafah in Gaza to maintain public order and control price hikes amid police absence due to Israeli strikes.
• The vigilante group, formed by the Hamas-run Interior Ministry and other political factions, has been welcomed by some residents for tackling lawlessness and profiteering but has also raised concerns over the presence of armed, masked men assuming policing roles.
• The conflict has led to severe shortages of goods in Gaza, with Israel allowing only humanitarian aid into the enclave, causing prices to skyrocket and exacerbating the plight of the population.
• The vigilantes issue warnings to traders with high prices and confiscate goods from repeat offenders to sell at regulated rates, aiming to protect residents from inflation.
• Residents express mixed feelings about the effectiveness of the vigilantes, with some calling for more organized and transparent policing methods to address the economic challenges.

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