From regulating the price of chicken to levying fees on cigarettes, Hamas is seeking to widen control over Gaza as U.S. plans for its future slowly take shape, Gazans say, adding to rivals' doubts over whether it will cede authority as promised.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

As a truce between Hamas and Israeli forces enters its second month, Gazans report that Hamas is quietly reasserting control over daily life, including regulating prices and deploying police to restore order. While Hamas officials deny imposing new taxes, some residents and business owners express uncertainty about the extent of the group's economic oversight.

The re-emergence of Hamas complicates international efforts, including a U.S.-backed plan calling for a transitional authority and multinational security force. Despite increased humanitarian aid since the ceasefire, Gaza remains divided, with Israeli forces still present in much of the territory and the future governance of Gaza unresolved.

Gazans say Hamas quietly reasserting control in territory

Palestinians in New Seirat flocked to fruit and vegetable stands. A glimmer of normalcy returning to Gaza, as a truce between Hamas and Israeli forces enters a second month. But something else has returned as well. Gazans say Hamas is seeking to reassert control over aspects of life in Gaza, from regulating prices to levying fees on imported cigarettes. Its police are back on the streets, which Hamas says is needed to restore order. After the cease-fire began last month, Hamas swiftly reestablished its hold over areas from which Israel withdrew, killing dozens of Palestinians it accused of collaborating with Israel, theft or other crimes. Ismail Al-Thawabta, head of the media office of the Hamas government, said accounts of Hamas levying fees on cigarettes and fuel were inaccurate, and denied raising any taxes. He said the group was focused on keeping prices down as goods began moving back into Gaza. We have a field plan related to consumer protection and maintaining as much as possible the relationship between merchants and consumers. However, government teams are insufficient to fully regulate the markets. Therefore, there is a relative control regarding this, controlling trade, the economy, goods and price increases. The re-emergence of Hamas adds another level of uncertainty as U.S. President Donald Trump's plans for Gaza slowly take shape. Ghaith Al-Omari is a senior fellow at the Washington Institute. According to the Trump 20-point plan, Hamas needs to be out of the picture, both in civilian and security sphere. And basically saying, no, we're here to stay. We cannot be bypassed. They are creating facts from the ground that will complicate the work of the international community. And frankly, the longer that the international community waits, the more entrenched Hamas becomes. Trump's plan calls for the establishment of a transitional authority, the deployment of a multinational security force, Hamas's disarmament and the start of reconstruction. But Reuters reported this week that Gaza's de facto partition appeared increasingly likely, with Israeli forces still deployed in more than half the territory, and efforts to advance the plan faltering. Asked for comment on the Gazans' accounts, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said, quote, this is why Hamas cannot and will not govern in Gaza. They added a new Gaza government could be formed once the United Nations approves Trump's plan. Progress has been made toward forming the multinational force, they said. Gazans continue to endure dire conditions, though more aid has entered since the ceasefire. A senior Gazan food importer said Hamas hadn't returned to a full taxation policy. But they, quote, see and record everything. Hatem Abu Dallal owns the Dallal Mall. Regarding taxes, until now, we don't know how things are going. We heard that there are taxes on some products, but exactly how much, we haven't yet calculated any taxes or anything. Hamas's Gaza government employed up to 50,000 people, including policemen, before the war, though Abta said that thousands of them were killed, and those remaining were ready to continue working under a new administration.

U.S. President Donald Trump is ducking press questions about newly released emails connecting him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities ahead of an expected vote on releasing all Epstein case files by the U.S. House of Representatives as early as next week.

Washington

Trump avoids media’s Epstein email questions

The U.S. government lumbered back to life on Thursday (November 13) after the longest shutdown in U.S. history snarled air traffic, cut food assistance to low-income Americans and forced more than 1 million workers to go unpaid for more than a month. But the deep political divisions that caused the 43-day shutdown in the first place remain unresolved.

U.S. government opens up again but deep political divisions remain

China's factory output and retail sales grew at their weakest pace in over a year in October, piling pressure on policymakers to revamp the $19 trillion export-driven economy as mounting supply and demand strains threaten to further curtail growth.

Beijing

China's factory output, retail sales growth worst in over a year

Germany's government plans to bring back military service, to boost troop numbers to deal with the perceived threat from Russia. But voluntary conscription could become compulsory, if not enough recruits come forward.

Berlin

Germany outlines potential shift to compulsory conscription

As F-35 stealth fighter jets fly missions from a reopened naval base in Puerto Rico and Marines practice beach landings, sources tell CBS News the Pentagon is preparing for possible military action in Venezuela. Charlie D'Agata reports.

Pentagon preparing for possible military action in Venezuela

President Trump's name appears hundreds of times in the newly-released batch of 23,000 pages of records and messages from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, raising questions about their relationship. Mr. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has called the scandal a "hoax" perpetrated by Democrats.

Trump named hundreds of times in newly released Epstein files

A federal judge has ruled that hundreds of people detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during "Operation Midway Blitz" in the Chicago area must be released. CBS News immigration and politics reporter Camilo Montoya-Galvez has more.

Chicago

Judge finds ICE illegally arrested hundreds of people in Chicago

For the first time in six weeks, the U.S. government is open. President Trump signed a bill last night to fund the government through the end of January.

Trump says he is 'willing to work with anyone' on health care

U.S. forces have killed four people in the latest strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean. CBS News national security coordinating producer James LaPorta has more.

Caracas

U.S. forces kill four in latest Caribbean drug boat strike

Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque in the West Bank on Thursday (November 13) and sprayed racist slogans on its walls, Palestinian residents said.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israeli settlers torch mosque in West Bank, residents say

Thailand-Cambodia border tensions escalate days after a US-backed ceasefire agreement breaks down.

Bangkok

Thailand-Cambodia tensions escalate as truce hangs in the balance

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is one step closer to the full release of the Justice Department's documents on Jeffrey Epstein after securing the final signature needed to force a House vote. Scott MacFarlane reports.

House to vote on Epstein files release after bipartisan group push

With the Amazon nearing a tipping point, Indigenous voices are demanding immediate action at COP30, with campaigners saying their protests are a stark reminder that time is running out to stop catastrophic climate change.

Belém

Indigenous voices demand action at COP30 amid Amazon crisis

The U.S. government's longest standoff left both parties facing heavy criticism, and neither is likely to claim victory. Millions of Americans felt the impact, from hundreds of thousands of unpaid federal workers to families left without food stamps.

Trump signs deal to end record 43-day U.S. shutdown

Venezuela is preparing a 'massive mobilization' of its military as the U.S.’s largest warship arrives in the Caribbean Sea after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a military buildup in the region.

Venezuela readying military as U.S.’s largest warship arrives

After 43 days, Congress passes a bill to reopen the U.S. government—Trump to sign spending legislation into law.

Washington County

U.S. House votes to re-open government, Trump to sign bill

Linda Sun faces trial – Prosecutors allege she secretly advanced China’s interests while serving in New York government.

New York

Ex-aide to NY governor accused of being China agent

The House passed a funding bill to end the government shutdown on Wednesday night, sending the measure to President Trump's desk for final signature.

House passes bill to fund government and end U.S. shutdown

Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the G7 summit to discuss defense, trade, and global security cooperation amid growing geopolitical tensions.

Kananaskis

Canada meets with U.S. counterpart Rubio at G7 summit

Venezuela has announced a "massive mobilization" of its military forces, as the U.S. continues its military buildup in the Caribbean. The announcement comes in the wake of U.S. strikes that have targeted at least 20 vessels in the waters around Latin America, killing dozens of people.

Venezuela mobilizing military as U.S. builds up military presence

The House of Representatives is preparing to vote on a long-awaited bill to end the government shutdown. CBS News congressional reporter Taurean Small has more from Capitol Hill.

House of Representatives ready vote on ending government shutdown

Warning: Some details are disturbing. An Army OB-GYN in Texas is accused of years of sexual assault and abuse of women on multiple bases, according to a recent lawsuit.

Killeen

Army gynecologist accused of secretly taking videos during exams

U.S. House Democrats on Wednesday released emails from Jeffrey Epstein referencing President Donald Trump, who has denied any knowledge of the convicted sex offender's crimes. In a 2019 email, Epstein said Trump "knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop."

New emails from Epstein mentioning Trump released by House Democrats

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz was arraigned on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to allegations of taking bribes to rig pitches. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul reports.

Brooklyn

Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz arraigned, pleads not guilty

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed the BBC while urging it to correct errors after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened a $1 billion lawsuit over a misleading edit of his Jan. 6, 2021 speech. The controversy led to the resignations of the BBC director general and head of news.

London

UK PM Keir Starmer backs BBC amid Trump threat

The U.S. House of Representatives will vote Wednesday on a spending bill that passed in the Senate earlier this week and could bring the longest government shutdown to an end.

House to vote on funding bill that could reopen government

The USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group has moved into the Latin America region, U.S. officials say, dramatically escalating a military buildup that has deepened tensions with Venezuela.

Largest U.S. aircraft carrier sailing to Latin America region

U.S. President Donald Trump sent a letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog urging him to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. CBS News' Courtney Kealy has more.

Trump urges Israel's president to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu

Three astronauts remain stuck in space after their return capsule was damaged by orbital debris—delaying their journey home.

Three Chinese astronauts stranded in space after capsule damage

The former first lady of Gabon and her son were being tried in absentia on various corruption charges.

Breakdown