"The reality is that there is almost nothing left of our security apparatus. About 95% of our leaders are dead. All the key members have been eliminated," a high-ranking, anonymous Hamas member revealed to the BBC on 6/7, describing the current state of the organization and expressing frustration at Israel's repeated refusal to agree to a ceasefire and end the war in the Gaza Strip.
This individual was described by the BBC as a "senior officer" in Hamas, holding the rank of lieutenant colonel and having been injured during the raid into Israel in October 2023.
He admitted the group had lost control of approximately 80% of the Gaza Strip, leading to a situation where emerging tribes and armed groups are looting humanitarian aid without any intervention from Hamas security forces.
"Since the last ceasefire ended in March, the Israeli military has struck the remaining command structures of Hamas, throwing the entire apparatus into disarray," he described.
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A residential area in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, on 21/2, lies in ruins after months of fighting between the Israeli military and Hamas gunmen. Photo: AFP |
A residential area in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, on 21/2, lies in ruins after months of fighting between the Israeli military and Hamas gunmen. Photo: AFP
He said that the headquarters of the Hamas security agency, the Ansar complex west of Gaza City, which served as the organization's headquarters to run Gaza before the war, has been looted by residents.
"They took everything from the offices, from mattresses to even sheets of corrugated iron. No one stopped them. There are no police, no security personnel. Hamas's control in Gaza has completely collapsed. There's nothing left," he said.
The Hamas member added that the organization's internal communication system is no longer operational, and he hasn't seen any leaders or commanders in the Gaza Strip. Members are receiving their salaries late, and even when the money is disbursed, he couldn't access it. "Some Hamas members have been killed just for trying to collect their salaries," he said.
This source believes the war in the Gaza Strip is nearing its end and all current conditions favor Tel Aviv. He observed that international support, including from Arab countries, for the Gaza Strip has declined, while the social structure in the territory has collapsed and criminal gangs have openly emerged.
"So, in the end, what's stopping Israel from ending this war?" he asked.
Hamas has not commented on the information. Israel announced on 28/5 that it had killed Mohammed Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It is unclear who is leading Hamas in Gaza after a series of senior commanders or leaders, such as Mohammed Deif, Ismail Haniyeh, and Yahya Sinwar, were killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) last year.
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Location of cities in the Gaza Strip. Graphic: Al Jazeera |
Location of cities in the Gaza Strip. Graphic: Al Jazeera
Two Palestinian sources revealed to Reuters that the first round of indirect talks between Hamas and Israel in Qatar on 6/7 ended without any results. They described the Israeli delegation as "lacking sufficient authority to accept any agreement" when they arrived in Qatar.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump stated there is a "high probability" that Hamas and Israel will reach a ceasefire and hostage release agreement this week. He is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on 7/7 to further discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip and the Middle East, including the prospects for negotiations to end the conflict between Iran and Israel.
"There are 20 surviving hostages and 30 bodies of hostages in Gaza. The government is determined to bring everyone back," Netanyahu told reporters on 6/7 before departing for Washington. "We want the Gaza Strip to no longer be a threat to Israel. That means completely eliminating Hamas's military and operational capabilities. This organization will cease to exist."
Thanh Danh (Times of Israel, BBC, Reuters)
