Hamas deploys police, distributes funds in sign of resurgence in Gaza areas Israeli troops have left

Hamas has begun deploying police forces and making partial salary payments to some of its civil servants in Gaza City in recent days, resurfacing in areas from which Israel had withdrawn the bulk of its troops a month ago. That's according to four city residents and a senior official in the militant group who spoke to The Associated Press on Saturday. A Hamas official said the group's leaders had instructed the return of civil servants to prevent looting and resume governmental activities they've overseen since they began ruling Gaza in 2007. Signs of the group’s revival in Gaza City could challenge Israel in reaching its stated aim of crushing Hamas.