Hamas still exercises control over large parts of the Gaza Strip and continues to dominate the lives of hundreds of thousands—likely close to a million—civilians. Even where it does not govern openly, it maintains power through weapons, intimidation, and control of key institutions. When a ruling authority is consumed with the destruction of a neighboring state rather than the well-being of its own people, the prospects for a normal life are bleak. Education, often seen as a path to escape poverty and conflict, offers little hope in Gaza. Hamas controls the education system and influences school curricula. Independent reviews have repeatedly shown that textbooks and classroom materials promote violent “resistance,” glorify martyrdom, and reinforce the belief that all of Israel is stolen land. Instead of preparing children for careers, coexistence, or global engagement, the system conditions many of them for perpetual conflict. Leaving Gaza is extraordinarily difficult. The borders are tightly controlled. Israel restricts entry for security reasons, and Egypt keeps the Rafah crossing largely closed, opening it only intermittently for limited humanitarian or medical cases. For most civilians, legal emigration is effectively out of reach. Before October 7, Israel permitted tens of thousands of Gazans to enter Israel for work, medical care, and other needs. That access collapsed after Hamas carried out the massacre, which included extensive intelligence gathering by terrorists posing as civilians. Since then, Israeli trust in cross-border civilian movement has evaporated. Food and basic supplies remain scarce. While international aid does enter Gaza, Hamas interferes heavily in its distribution. Aid is diverted to fighters, loyalists, and internal security networks, while much of the remainder is sold on the black market at inflated prices. This system rewards loyalty to Hamas and punishes ordinary civilians. With Gaza’s economy largely destroyed and infrastructure in ruins, legitimate employment opportunities are minimal. Armed groups provide some of the only steady income. Violence is incentivized, not just ideologically but financially, reinforcing a cycle that traps families in dependence on militant organizations. Hamas still controls large portions of Gaza and continues to shape daily life through fear, indoctrination, and coercion. As long as that remains true, Gaza’s civilians are denied the possibility of real recovery, stability, or hope for a future beyond endless war.