Hamas Reasserts Control in Gaza Amidst Shifting Regional Focus

As international attention remains largely fixed on the escalating conflict with Iran, Hamas is strategically reasserting its authority within the Gaza Strip. This resurgence of control, occurring nearly two and a half years after Israel’s offensive against the group, raises questions about the feasibility of postwar planning for the enclave and the future stability of the region.

Increased Hamas Visibility and Governance

Over the past two weeks, Hamas security forces have demonstrably increased their presence throughout Gaza, a trend corroborated by both local residents and circulating footage from the enclave. Reports indicate a heightened focus on maintaining order and controlling prices, particularly in response to food shortages and rising costs stemming from the conflict in Iran, which began on February 28th.

On March 10th, Hamas’s Interior Ministry publicized images of police officers “checking commodity prices in Gaza and taking strict measures against traders who violated the law.” An incident in Gaza City involved officers confiscating tomatoes being sold for NIS 25 per kilogram (approximately $3.60 per pound), citing price gouging laws, and then reselling them at a lower, pre-war price of NIS 10 per kilogram, limiting purchases to one kilogram per person.

Beyond price controls, Hamas is actively working to rebuild its governing structures. Analysts note the group is focused on improving its taxation system, checking markets and mosques, and even beginning to rebuild education systems. These efforts signal a clear intention to solidify its long-term control.

Strategic Implications and Postwar Planning

The reassertion of Hamas control is occurring at a critical juncture, as the war with Iran has effectively stalled progress on postwar planning for Gaza. According to Michael Milshtein, a senior analyst at the Dayan Center at Tel Aviv University, Hamas is utilizing this period not only for military rehabilitation but also to project visible control in the public sphere, including recruiting new members and staging parades.

The conflict in Iran has also frozen Gaza’s reconstruction efforts, with the Palestinian committee of technocrats facing delays in deployment and the international stabilization force remaining unrealized. Israel has reopened one Gaza crossing with new security requirements, allowing approximately 200 lorries of aid per day, but aid organizations maintain this is insufficient to address the growing needs.

Mkhaimar Abusada, a Gazan political analyst, emphasizes that all momentum surrounding Gaza planning has been put on hold due to the escalation of the Iran war.

Ongoing Challenges and Uncertain Future

Despite the focus on Iran, Israeli leaders continue to warn of potential consequences if Hamas does not disarm. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz has pledged to renew attacks against Hamas should the group refuse to lay down its arms, stating that Gaza remains a critical security concern.

The situation in Gaza remains precarious, with ongoing exchanges of fire along the “yellow line” dividing the enclave. Residents are experiencing panic buying and surging food prices as they attempt to recover from Israel’s two-year offensive. The future of Gaza remains uncertain, contingent on the resolution of the conflict with Iran and the complex challenge of addressing Hamas’s reasserted control.