While the conflict with Iran commands regional focus, Hamas is re-establishing its authority within Gaza, as indicated by videos and images shared on social media. An Israeli analyst and a Palestinian political commentator state that these events cast new uncertainty on whether plans for the territory after the war can advance in the near future.

Michael Milshtein, a senior analyst at Tel Aviv University’s Dayan Center, stated that Hamas has utilized the past two and a half weeks not only for military recovery but also to demonstrate overt control in public areas.

“They are effectively leveraging this time to consolidate their authority in the public domain, going beyond mere military rebuilding,” Milshtein remarked, pointing to new recruits, police patrols, and even parades in central Gaza. “Hamas is here to stay.”

He mentioned that residents of Gaza have reported Hamas is also reconstructing its governance structures. “Their police are present everywhere,” he said. “They are also enhancing their system of taxation.” During Ramadan, he added, Hamas officials were inspecting markets and mosques and “beginning to establish education systems.”

Mukhaimer Abu Saada, a political analyst from Gaza, concurs that progress on post-conflict planning for Gaza has significantly slowed since the war with Iran intensified.

“All matters related to Gaza have been suspended,” Abu Saada told Digital. He noted that before the regional conflict began, developments were “progressing positively,” including efforts related to the Board of Peace, the Gaza Technical Committee, and talks concerning a potential international stabilization force.

“Yes, Hamas has capitalized on the present circumstances,” Abu Saada said. “They are no longer under the same pressure as before.”

Both analysts identified the same overarching trend: as the focus moved to Iran, the pressure on Hamas diminished.

Abu Saada explained that prior to the war, there were what he characterized as earnest discussions concerning disarmament, the introduction of an international force, and Gaza’s political future. However, “the momentum that existed before the war has diminished,” he stated, adding that Gaza has been relegated to a lower priority.

“When I speak with Palestinians, they tell me, ‘We are essentially just waiting for the conflict to end,'” Milshtein said. He indicated that some anticipate Netanyahu will become “deeply indebted to Trump due to the Iran war, and he will have to acquiesce to any demands Trump makes about Gaza.”

A key topic in these discussions is the potential for an international stabilization force to enter Gaza. However, both analysts indicated that Hamas might not perceive such a force as a danger.

Abu Saada said Hamas had “expressed support for the deployment” of such a force and seems to interpret its role as “limiting the Israeli army’s actions” instead of arriving “to disarm” the organization. He suggested that the potential inclusion of troops from nations like Indonesia could make the deployment seem less intimidating to Hamas, which might regard it as a protective barrier against ongoing Israeli military activities.

Milshtein expanded on this point, stating that Hamas views the proposed model not as a traditional peacekeeping operation but rather as similar to the arrangement between Hezbollah and UNIFIL in Lebanon.

“Hamas says, ‘We have no issue; it will be comparable to UNIFIL in Lebanon,'” Milshtein reported. “‘Do not even consider pursuing us, confiscating our weapons, or entering the tunnels. Your role is also to protect us from Israel.'”

Abu Saada concluded that the next stage depends critically on the outcome of the Iran war. Should the Iranian regime endure and not fall apart, he said, Hamas would gain encouragement from that result.

“If Iran is not defeated, if the Iranian regime remains standing, that will provide a form of moral bolstering for Hamas,” he stated.