As the genocidal war continues to shape daily life, attention in Gaza has turned inward with the conclusion of internal elections within Hamas, paving the way for the announcement of a new leader. The vote, conducted over several weeks across Gaza, the occupied West Bank and among members abroad, comes at a moment of profound uncertainty following months of devastation. Markets operating during Ramadan, such as those seen in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, reflect both resilience and the strain of prolonged siege conditions.

Beyond Gaza, violence linked to the genocidal war has extended into the occupied West Bank, where a mosque in the northern village of Tell was set ablaze. Palestinian officials say the building was attacked overnight, with parts of the mosque damaged by fire and racist slogans left on its walls. The incident is one of a growing number of attacks on religious sites, underscoring fears that places of worship, both Islamic and Christian, are increasingly being targeted amid an atmosphere of impunity.

At the same time, regional rhetoric has intensified. Israel’s prime minister warned of what he described as “complex and difficult days” ahead, amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. Iranian officials, responding to threats of limited military action, signalled that any strike would be met with a forceful response. These exchanges have heightened anxiety across the region, already destabilised by the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Within Hamas, the leadership transition is now entering its final phase. Two senior figures are seen as leading contenders: Khaled Meshaal, a veteran leader heading the movement’s diaspora office, and Khalil al-Hayya, a key figure in indirect negotiations conducted through mediators. The newly elected Shura Council has selected an 18-member political bureau, which will in turn choose the movement’s next chief, a decision expected to influence its direction in the aftermath of the genocidal war.