Hamas Faces Internal Collapse Amid Israeli Assault and Rising Rivalry

With reports of 80% loss in governance, Hamas struggles amidst internal disintegration and escalating violence from local gangs.

A high-ranking officer within Hamas's security forces has disclosed to the BBC that the militant organization has effectively lost control over 80% of the Gaza Strip, with armed clans beginning to dominate the landscape. This lieutenant colonel, who preferred to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, highlighted the collapse of Hamas's command and control capabilities, which has been severely impacted by relentless Israeli airstrikes aimed at the group's leadership over the recent conflict that erupted following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

The officer, who sustained injuries in the initial phase of the hostilities and has been sidelined for health reasons, conveyed his observations through voice messages. He described the "total disintegration" of Hamas's security infrastructure, asserting, “There’s barely anything left of the security structure. Most of the leadership, about 95%, are now dead... The active figures have all been killed.” This alarming statement raises questions about the future of the conflict, suggesting that Israel's military campaign could persist unabated amid the current geopolitical silence.

Currently, the chaos in Gaza has led to rampant lawlessness, with gangs proliferating without resistance from Hamas's once-formidable internal security forces. “People have looted everything from the Hamas security apparatus - they took everything including mattresses and building materials - and no one intervened,” he said. While Hamas clings to the remnants of its authority, the rise of local armed groups threatens to challenge its hold on power.

Last summer, Israeli airstrikes resulted in the loss of life for 18 Palestinians during an operation targeting a Hamas police unit. The situation highlights Israel's ongoing efforts to dismantle Hamas's remaining operational framework. Amid this turmoil, a number of armed factions affiliated with local clans are beginning to gain power and resources, particularly in southern Gaza. A notable figure is Yasser Abu Shabab, whose activities have not gone unnoticed by both the Palestinian Authority and Israeli authorities, with Israel reportedly arming him in his fight against Hamas.

The officer suggested that Abu Shabab could unify various anti-Hamas factions, a consideration that deeply unsettles the militant organization. There are also suggestions of Abu Shabab establishing connections with Palestinian intelligence and former Hamas members, strengthening his position as a future alternative force to Hamas.

“The threat from Abu Shabab is not just about his military strength but the potential he represents for rallying Hamas's adversaries,” the officer warned. As the humanitarian crisis escalates in Gaza, Hamas faces an unprecedented challenge not just from external pressures in the form of Israeli military action, but also from growing insurrections within its own territory.