Hamas Security Officer Reveals Internal Collapse Amid Israeli Strikes

In a shocking revelation, a senior Hamas security officer disclosed that the group has lost approximately 80% of its dominance in Gaza, attributing the collapse to relentless Israeli strikes. With Hamas's leadership decimated, armed clans are emerging to fill the power vacuum, threatening the group's hold on the region.

A senior officer in the Hamas security apparatus has provided a grim assessment to the BBC, claiming the Palestinian group has lost nearly 80% of its control over the Gaza Strip amidst ongoing Israeli military operations. This lieutenant colonel, who has stepped back from his duties due to injury, painted a dire picture of internal disintegration within Hamas and a near-total collapse of law and order in Gaza.

"Let’s be realistic here - there's barely anything left of the security structure. Most of the leadership, about 95%, are now dead," he shared in a series of voice messages under the condition of anonymity. He indicated that the rampant Israeli strikes had effectively obliterated the group's political, military, and security leadership, asking, "So really, what's stopping Israel from continuing this war?"

The officer's insights come in the wake of a declaration made last September by Israel's then-defense minister, claiming Hamas as a military entity had been rendered non-functional and was now resorting to guerilla tactics. Notably, he pointed out that the last efforts by Hamas to regroup during a previous 57-day ceasefire had ultimately fizzled, with the situation deteriorating further since a renewal of hostilities.

"About the security situation, let me be clear: it has completely collapsed. Totally gone. There's no control anywhere," he asserted, detailing how panic-stricken citizens looted times from Hamas's security headquarters. With no effective security forces to intervene, gangs and armed clans have emerged as the new dominant powers in Gaza.

Amidst this chaos, the officer warned of rapid societal degradation, with rampant lawlessness replacing Hamas’s authority. He reflected, "They could stop you, kill you. No one would intervene." Consequently, the regional landscape is shifting with armed groups vying for leadership, such as one headed by Yasser Abu Shabab, who is reportedly gaining momentum and drawing attention from various factions, including a rival Palestinian Authority.

Meanwhile, Israeli military actions have continued to target remaining Hamas factions, with a recent strike resulting in civilian casualties during an attempt to stabilize markets amidst the rising chaos. The faltering efforts of Hamas to maintain order have led to a new trajectory of vulnerability, with factions like those led by Abu Shabab potentially poised to challenge the status quo if they can unify various opposition forces.

The officer's grim warning encapsulates an organization teetering on the brink as it grapples not only with external aggression but also a burgeoning internal threat, marking a potential turning point in the struggle for control in Gaza.