Results: The model-estimated proportion of deaths in Gaza categorized as combatants was 62.1% (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 57.6–66.2%), 51.1% (95% UI: 47.1–54.9%), and 12.7% (95% UI: 9.7–15.4%) in the 2008–2009, 2014, and 2023 Israel-Gaza conflicts, respectively. The index of killing civilians was 0.61 (95% UI: 0.51–0.74), 0.96 (95% UI: 0.82–1.12), and 7.01 (95% UI: 5.50–9.29) in the 2008–2009, 2014, and 2023 conflicts, respectively. These index values indicate strong evidence for civilians being an object of war in the 2008–2009 and 2014 conflicts, but combatants were still identified as the primary focus of the conflict. In the 2023 conflict, there is robust evidence for civilians being an object of war, with civilians identified as the primary focus of the conflict.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1359189/full

Uh... that's more than enough? Even if Hamas was an occupying army hated by the whole population of Gaza (they're not; Hamas has a lot of public support despite everything), 3% of the population under arms is more than enough to maintain military control basically anywhere. That's more than your average oppressive dictatorship.