The warning was heard already at the start of the war: Hamas controls Gazans, conducts diplomatic contacts and organizes for elections

Nearly three years after October 7, Hamas remains a central governing force in the Gaza Strip. The IDF severely damaged its military wing, but in the absence of a political alternative, the organization continues to collect taxes, pay salaries, recruit activists, and conduct diplomatic contacts with the US, Egypt, and Qatar. The gap between the military achievement and the political defeat is widening.

Nearly three years after the October 7 massacre, Hamas remains a central governing force in the Gaza Strip, despite severe damage to its military wing. The IDF eliminated senior officials, dismantled battalions, and destroyed infrastructure, but without a political plan for the 'day after,' the organization continues to operate civilian mechanisms: tax collection, payment of salaries to government employees, recruitment of new activists, and diplomatic contacts with the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. Warnings about this situation were heard already at the start of the war. In March 2024, then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned the cabinet that 'if we do not create a governing alternative in the Strip, we will not dismantle Hamas.' Prime Minister Netanyahu ruled out the possibility of the Palestinian Authority returning to power, but no other effective alternative was proposed. Security officials warned that the war's achievements would be lost. The most prominent expression of Hamas's continued status: US envoy Jared Kushner met in Egypt with Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya as part of contacts on the future of the Strip. The organization that was supposed to be removed from the equation remains a central player at the table.

The warning was heard already at the start of the war: Hamas controls Gazans, conducts diplomatic contacts and organizes for elections