Post-War Gaza: Hamas, Factions, and the Reconfiguration of Power

By: Gerard Filitti
Senior Counsel, The Lawfare Project

Executive Summary

As of October 15, 2025, Gaza remains in a state of profound instability following a ceasefire that concluded nearly two years of intense conflict with Israel. The disintegration of Hamas's centralized authority has created a fragmented landscape of competing armed groups, revitalized tribal clans, and external actors contending for control over security, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction initiatives. This white paper offers a detailed legal-policy examination of Gaza's shifting power structures, informed by international humanitarian law and practical considerations for demilitarization and governance. It advocates for a gradual demilitarization process linked to reconstruction incentives, while integrating local clan dynamics to mitigate further unrest. Drawing on recent developments, including President Trump's 20-point plan and Gulf states' conditional involvement, the analysis emphasizes the dual role of reconstruction funding in economic revival and conferring legitimacy on aid intermediaries, amid Gulf wariness toward an armed Hamas.