IDF Spares Hamas Mayors in Gaza to Prevent Civilian Chaos

Residents of the Gaza Strip are facing a new reality where the local figures who manage their daily lives are less likely to be struck by Israeli military force. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet have adopted a specific policy to spare senior Hamas officials in the municipal and governmental sectors from targeted killings. This decision directly affects the administrative backbone of the territory, including mayors and other high-ranking civil servants who oversee essential services.

The first key factor in this shift is the fear of a total administrative collapse. Military sources told Walla that removing these leaders could cause governing institutions to crumble. Israel worries that without these officials, civilian chaos would ensue, creating a power vacuum that international aid organizations might not be able to fill. The goal is to keep the basic machinery of government functioning, even if it remains under Hamas control.

The second key element involves the current stance on Gaza's future administration. The Israeli government currently opposes the Palestinian Authority taking over the strip. Instead, officials demand that a third party administer the territory. By keeping Hamas's civilian leadership intact for the moment, the IDF aims to maintain a stable, if uncomfortable, status quo while a diplomatic solution for a third-party administration is sought.

The third key point is the distinction between civilian and military targets. While mayors are being spared, the IDF and Shin Bet are maintaining a high operational tempo against the Hamas military wing. Security forces are carrying out two to three targeted killings every day. These strikes focus on terrorists who participated in the October 7 massacre, those preparing new attacks, and commanders involved in rebuilding the group's infrastructure.

This dual approach relies on improved intelligence capabilities. Over the past year, the Military Intelligence Directorate and the Shin Bet have developed human sources and gained better access to real-time data on the ground. This contrasts with the period before October 7, when Israeli intelligence lacked human sources in Gaza and relied heavily on intercepting mobile phone communications. Today, security forces can track senior terrorists with greater precision.

Hamas remains in control of Gaza's civilian institutions despite the military pressure. The organization continues to manage the economy, internal security, energy, education, and healthcare. Even in areas where its grip appears weaker, Southern Command officials note that Hamas shapes public sentiment through arrests, interrogations, and intimidation. Coercive tax collection is one method the group uses to maintain authority over the population.

Israel views the preservation of these systems as a matter of regional stability. Damaging these institutions too severely could provoke criticism on the international stage and have direct consequences for the region. Consequently, senior civilian officials have been kept off the target list. This strategy allows the IDF to act decisively against military leaders while preserving the infrastructure that supports daily life for Gazans.

The operational environment has changed significantly for Hamas. The group has fewer hiding places, fewer tunnels, and a shortage of senior commanders with operational experience. Hamas is working to rebuild its intelligence on IDF activity along the Yellow Line and deeper inside Gaza. Meanwhile, the Southern Command and the Israel Air Force have developed techniques to conduct targeted killings in densely populated tent compounds while minimizing collateral damage to civilians.