Since the March ceasefire collapse, Hamas has been crippled by a leadership vacuum, forcing the once‑decisive terror group into slow, consensus‑driven decision‑making — a far cry from its former days under Haniyeh and Sinwar.
Gaza — The once iron‑fisted leadership of Hamas has been shattered. According to a Palestinian Arab insider, the terror organization is struggling to make independent decisions in the wake of targeted Israeli assassinations that wiped out its most influential commanders.
The source told Saudi daily Asharq Al‑Awsat that since the ceasefire ended on March 18, Hamas has entered one of the most turbulent leadership crises in its history.
⚠ Leadership Paralysis
In the days of Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, Hamas leadership made swift, unilateral decisions, merely informing other factions afterward — often ignoring their feedback.
Today, by contrast, the group stalls negotiations and holds long, internal consultations, desperate to forge a consensus with other Palestinian factions like Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
🕳 The Void Left by Assassinations
Senior Hamas officials admit the obvious — the elimination of Haniyeh and Sinwar left a gaping void in charisma, authority, and strategic decisiveness.
Haniyeh, in particular, was described as a diplomatic heavyweight who favored political maneuvering and maintained strong ties across the Palestinian political spectrum.
“The assassinations left a void in presence, charisma, and decision‑making authority,” one official conceded.
📉 From Strongmen to Committee Rule
With no single figure commanding respect or fear, Hamas is now governed by a weakened leadership council that prefers to spread responsibility among multiple factions. This approach, insiders say, is driven by both internal indecision and a political need to present any deal as having broad Palestinian endorsement.
🎯 Strategic Consequences
The shift from decisive leadership to committee politics has slowed Hamas’s ability to respond in real time — a vulnerability Israel is likely to exploit. Analysts say this fractured command structure could hinder Hamas militarily while giving rival factions more influence over Gaza’s political future.
