Hamas Security Officer Reveals Group's Collapse in Gaza Control

A lieutenant colonel in Hamas’s security forces has disclosed that the organization has lost approximately 80% of its control over Gaza, attributing this to relentless Israeli military action that has decimated its leadership. Speaking anonymously, the officer described a "total collapse" of security, revealing that most of the group's command structure is effectively non-existent and suggesting that local armed clans have started to gain influence in the region. With violence and lawlessness on the rise, these clans, including one led by Yasser Abu Shabab, are posing a significant threat to the already weakened Hamas, evidenced by recent incidents where rival groups challenge its authority. The officer expressed fears that unless Hamas can reassert its position, it risks losing its grip on power entirely.

In the voice messages shared with the BBC, the officer lamented that the remnants of Hamas leadership were either dead or incapacitated, calling the current state of affairs unsustainable. The pervasive insecurity has led to looting and street-level violence, with no intervention from traditional law enforcement. Tensions have escalated as armed gangs vie for control, and international observers are growing increasingly concerned about the potential for these groups to further destabilize the region amidst the shifting dynamics of power.

As Hamas bifurcates under pressure both from the Israeli military and rising internal dissent, the future of governance in Gaza hangs precariously in the balance.

A displaced child plays inside a destroyed vehicle at the Arafat Police Academy in Gaza City.