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.