Hamas Consolidates Control in Khan Yunis as Israel Predicts Protracted Battle Ahead

By Yoni Weiss

Four days following the IDF’s withdrawal from Khan Yunis, Hamas terrorists have begun reasserting authority over the southern Gaza Strip city, Yediot reported Wednesday. They are moving cautiously, avoiding large groups, projecting a stern demeanor, and wielding batons to reinforce control over the populace.

As Israel remains firm on preventing Fatah terrorists in Gaza from replacing Hamas, even bureaucratically, the passage of time complicates the modest objectives of the conflict: diminishing not only Hamas’s military but also civilian influence. This challenge persists even after the conclusion of the IDF’s primary military operations this week, continuing only with occasional raids.

The IDF refrains from targeting every civilian involved in street cleanup or administration linked with Hamas. Identifying and striking intact internal security mechanisms of Hamas remains elusive, with these forces blending among civilians or disguised alongside the military wing.

In the absence of alternative governance and ongoing inaction, Israel is inadvertently sustaining Hamas’s civilian rule, aiding its resurgence. Attacks on Hamas enforcers occur opportunistically, as seen in a recent airstrike targeting a group in Shijaiyah’s Kuwait Square.

While the military anticipates similar control measures in Khan Yunis and observes moderate civil control in areas yet to be addressed, preparations for action against remaining Hamas brigades continue.

The flow of aid, including Jordanian contributions, into Gaza complicates Israel’s strategic calculus, exacerbated by international pressure following recent incidents. Despite efforts to portray Gaza’s markets as well-stocked, concerns persist over aid reaching Hamas terrorists.

With Hamas’s grip extending, the role of IDF officers in Gaza’s civilian affairs grows, though not as martial law. Amid calls for Fatah as a potential alternative, security experts foresee Hamas’s defeat only by 2026 or 2027, following the dismantling of its last brigades.

As Israel navigates political and security challenges, concerns over stability in Yehudah and Shomron persist, particularly regarding potential prisoner exchanges and the release of prominent figures like Marwan Barghouti, with implications for regional security.