Hamas’ Leadership Under Fire: How the Movement Continues to Operate After Israeli Assassinations

Assassinations of Political Bureau Members

During the war, which began on October 7, 2023, and lasted until January 19, 2024, Israeli forces carried out systematic assassinations of senior Hamas leaders. Early in the war, on October 10, the deaths of Political Bureau members Zakaria Muammar and Jawad Abu Shamala were announced.

Israel continued its targeted killings, often resulting in civilian casualties. On October 19, an airstrike in Jabalia camp killed Jamila Al-Shanti, the only woman in Hamas’ political bureau in Gaza. Two days later, Osama Al-Muzaini, head of Hamas’ Shura Council in Gaza, was also assassinated.

These assassinations persisted. In October, Israel announced the killings of Political Bureau members Ruhi Mushtaha—one of Yahya Sinwar’s closest associates—along with Sami Ouda and Samih Al-Sarraj. Hamas confirmed their deaths only recently when their bodies were retrieved and buried.

Other key figures assassinated included:

• Mohammed Abu Askar, a member of Hamas’ administrative office in Gaza.
• Tayseer Ibrahim, head of Hamas’ Supreme Judiciary Council, assassinated a week into the war. His name was listed fourth among top leaders killed, after Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Saleh Al-Arouri.

One of the most significant assassinations was that of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ leader in Gaza and head of its Political Bureau, who was killed on October 16 during Israel’s ground invasion of Rafah. Before that, on July 31, Hamas’ overall Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran.

Earlier, in January 2023, Saleh Al-Arouri, deputy head of the Political Bureau, was assassinated in Beirut.

On Friday, Hamas officially confirmed the deaths of 16 senior political leaders.

Additionally, Israeli assassinations targeted municipal officials responsible for essential public services such as water and sanitation. The mayors of Zahraa, Nuseirat, Maghazi, and Deir Al-Balah were assassinated, as was Abdel Fattah Al-Zari’i, deputy minister of economy in Hamas’ Gaza government, in an apparent effort to disrupt civilian administration and worsen the humanitarian crisis.

Assassinations of Al-Qassam Brigade Commanders

Israeli operations focused even more heavily on military leaders. Among those killed:

• Ayman Nofal (October 23) – Member of Hamas’ Military Council and commander of the Central Brigade, killed in an airstrike on Al-Bureij camp.
• Ahmad Al-Ghandour (November 27) – Military Council member and Northern Brigade commander, considered the third-ranking official in Al-Qassam after Mohammed Deif and Marwan Issa.
• Marwan Issa – Deif’s deputy and military commander in Gaza.
• Raed Thabet and Ghazi Abu Tama’a – Military Council members.
• Mohammed Deif – Supreme Commander of Al-Qassam, and Rafi Salama, Khan Younis Brigade commander, were also reported assassinated.

Beyond these top figures, Israel targeted numerous field commanders and mid-level leaders, including those accused of involvement in the October 7 attack.

Hamas’ Continued Military and Civil Operations

Despite these losses, Hamas’ military wing remains active. Though its operational capacity has been affected by the war and Israel’s ground invasion, the Al-Qassam Brigades have continued military operations, maintained the security of Israeli hostages, and stayed in contact with political leadership regarding ceasefire negotiations.

Similarly, Hamas’ civil governance in Gaza continued managing essential services like health, social affairs, and municipal operations, despite limited resources. On the first day of the ceasefire, Gaza’s media office announced that 5,500 employees were still providing services to residents and displaced people.

How Hamas is Managed Now

In response to the leadership losses, Abu Ubaida, Al-Qassam’s spokesperson, stated that despite the assassinations, “our determination has only strengthened,” emphasizing that there has been no leadership vacuum in Al-Qassam throughout the war.

Hamas spokesman Abdel Latif Al-Qanoua reaffirmed that both Hamas and Al-Qassam had sacrificed top-tier leaders to remain aligned with the Palestinian people’s struggle.

Currently, few prominent military leaders remain. The most notable are:

• Mohammed Sinwar (Yahya Sinwar’s brother), accused of planning the October 7 attack.
• Izz Al-Din Al-Haddad, Gaza Brigade commander.
• Rafah Brigade commander (name undisclosed).

While Hamas has not officially announced a new Al-Qassam commander, reports suggest Mohammed Sinwar has assumed leadership, with other senior figures managing key military roles.

Politically, Hamas has adopted an emergency governance plan:

• No new Political Bureau chief has been named after Sinwar’s death.
• Instead, a leadership council of five was formed, including:
  • Mohammed Darwish (Shura Council head).
  • Khaled Meshaal (Hamas leader abroad).
  • Zaher Jabarin (Hamas leader in the West Bank).
  • Khalil Al-Hayya (Hamas leader in Gaza).
  • Nizar Awadallah, a senior Hamas political figure.

All five are currently outside Gaza.

Within Gaza, Hamas’ political operations are managed by Khalil Al-Hayya, along with two other officials, Ghazi Hamad and Bassem Naim, both of whom are abroad. Mid-level political leaders inside Gaza, whose identities remain undisclosed, are handling governance.

Future of Hamas’ Governance in Gaza

Given the war’s impact, Hamas is unlikely to publicly announce new leadership appointments soon. The future governance of Gaza remains uncertain, as both Israel and the U.S. oppose Hamas’ continued rule and advocate for an alternative administration.

Despite significant losses, Hamas appears determined to maintain its political and military presence, presenting itself as an enduring force in Gaza.