Israel's May 16 assassination of Hamas military chief Izz al-Din al-Haddad has triggered a power struggle within the Palestinian militant group, according to sources cited in a May 21 report in The National. Mohammed Awda, al-Haddad's purported replacement, has not yet been confirmed amid infighting between long-time leaders Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al Hayya, who are vying for control of the group's politburo. Amid this vacuum, Hamas fighters have largely decentralized into autonomous cells, even as the group consolidates its hold on Gaza City and Khan Younis during the ceasefire active since October 2025.

Since the Gaza war began in October 2023, Israel has embraced an assassination strategy against Hamas leadership, seeking to disrupt and degrade the group. But so far, these efforts have failed to undermine Hamas' political resolve or its operational command and control, as the group has long organized itself to withstand the loss of its leaders. Meanwhile, Israel's expansion of control to 60% of Gaza has pressured Hamas, while repeated airstrikes have encouraged a more autonomous cell structure to prevent communications from being intercepted and used to carry out strikes.