How Hamas Is Losing Control in Gaza: Insights from a Security Officer on the Rise of Local Clans

A senior officer in Hamas has revealed that the group has lost about 80% of its grip on the Gaza Strip. With this loss, armed clans are stepping in to fill the gap.

This lieutenant colonel noted that ongoing Israeli airstrikes have dismantled Hamas’s leadership. He himself was injured early in the conflict that erupted after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. He shared his insights with the BBC anonymously.

He described a dire situation in Gaza. “There’s barely anything left of the security structure. Most leaders are dead,” he said. “Why wouldn’t Israel continue? The conditions favor them: they’re in control, the world is silent, and criminal gangs are everywhere.”

Back in September, Israel’s then-defense minister claimed that Hamas was no longer an organized military force, resorting to guerrilla tactics. The lieutenant colonel agreed. He stated that Hamas tried to regroup during a ceasefire but was targeted again by Israeli strikes soon after the truce ended in March.

“The security situation has completely collapsed,” he said. “There’s no control anywhere. People are looting everything from Hamas’s security complex.”

With the breakdown of order, gangs and armed groups have become prevalent. These groups can operate freely, and civilians are scared. “It’s chaos. If you try to resist, you might be attacked by Israel within minutes,” he explained.

On June 26, an Israeli drone strike killed at least 18 people targeting a Hamas police unit in Deir al-Balah. Eyewitnesses claimed the unit was accused of price gouging and selling stolen aid.

Amid this chaos, several armed factions linked to local clans have emerged. One notable leader is Yasser Abu Shabab, attracting attention from the Palestinian Authority. Hamas fears he could unite its enemies, as they reportedly placed a bounty on his head.

A retired Palestinian security official explained that Abu Shabab’s group is gaining influence. “If he succeeds in undermining Hamas, everyone will want to align with him,” he said. Abu Shabab has even met with Palestinian intelligence and maintains ties with former security officials.

As local gangs take over neighborhoods, Hamas faces threats not only from Israeli military action but also from rising rivals. This strengthens the perception that Hamas might be on the brink of losing its long-held control over Gaza.

The rapidly shifting dynamics underscore a significant moment in Gaza’s history, as internal divisions may lead to fundamental changes in control and power.



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