Hamas Politicians Maneuvering in Gaza Strip

Like municipal officials anywhere in the world, Ahmad Kurd, the mayor of Deir al Balah, was eager to showcase his hands-on, in-charge demeanor at a tumultuous moment in his constituents' lives.

But it wasn't just a one-time performance. Devotion to the nitty-gritty details of governance has become a hallmark of mayors and city council members from Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that has made suicide bombings and ambush-style shooting attacks its primary trademarks.

"It is only Hamas that can accomplish things," Kurd said Monday, ignoring clouds of powdery sand rising around him. "This is what we do: We try to make life better for the Palestinian people -- immediately, and on the ground."

With the end of the Israeli presence in Gaza, Hamas is working to position itself as the principal power in the first large swath of territory under Palestinian sovereignty.

Already well ensconced in dozens of town halls across the West Bank and Gaza, Hamas now is gearing up for its next big electoral challenge: winning a substantial block of seats in Palestinian parliamentary elections in January. By all indications, it will easily do so.

In the meantime, the group sees the transition to Palestinian rule in Gaza as a perfect opportunity to outshine the beleaguered and disorganized Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas.

"The Palestinian Authority has not shown an ability to bring about any kind of stability, or to provide services to the population," said Israeli analyst Gerald Steinberg. "And that certainly plays into the hands of Hamas."

Capitalizing on its reputation for being free of the corruption that beset the Palestinian Authority, Hamas is calling for the efficient and graft-free rebuilding of war-battered Gaza, a message that strikes a chord among ordinary Palestinians.

"They are the ones I trust to work hard and not steal from the people," said Maram Bashir, a round-faced young woman in a tightly fitted black head scarf, who said she would vote for Hamas in the parliamentary elections. She already did so in local elections in Deir al Balah.