After nearly two years of relentless conflict, a senior Hamas officer has admitted that the group has lost almost all its grip on Gaza.
Speaking anonymously to the BBC, the lieutenant colonel revealed that about 80% of Hamas’ control in the region is gone, and what’s left of its once-tight command structure is essentially in ruins.
The officer, who stepped away from his role due to injuries sustained in the first week of fighting, gave a sobering account of the situation.
“There’s barely anything left of [Hamas’] security structure,” he said.
“About 95% of the leadership have been killed.”
Hamas Command Crumbles Under Israeli Pressure
The collapse, according to the officer, is largely due to Israel’s aggressive air campaign.
Since the conflict erupted in October 2023—after Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack in Israel—the Israeli military has systematically targeted Hamas leaders and infrastructure.
As a result, what was once a tightly controlled security presence in Gaza has unraveled.
With most top commanders gone, the officer admitted there is now a security vacuum in the region.
“There’s no control anywhere,” he said. “Criminal gangs are everywhere.”
Guerrilla Tactics and the End of Formal Military Resistance
This inside account aligns with previous statements from Israeli officials.
Israel’s then-Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, recently declared that “Hamas as a military formation no longer exists”, claiming the group had shifted from organized warfare to guerrilla tactics.
The former Hamas officer confirmed that the group had attempted to reorganize during a 57-day ceasefire earlier this year.
But once the truce fell apart in March, Israeli forces swiftly resumed their attacks, crippling Hamas even further.
Ceasefire Talks Gain Traction Again Amid the Devastation
As the military operation grinds on, there are fresh efforts to push for a new ceasefire. This weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that a negotiating team would be sent to Qatar for renewed talks—an encouraging sign after months of failed attempts.
Netanyahu is also expected to visit the White House on Monday, where he’ll meet with President Donald Trump to discuss the path forward.
The goal? A ceasefire agreement that would return remaining hostages and permanently remove Hamas as a threat.
“There are 20 hostages still alive, 30 confirmed dead,” Netanyahu said before leaving for the U.S. “We are determined to bring them all back—and ensure Gaza never threatens Israel again.”
Civilian Death Toll and Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza
While military leaders and politicians continue to discuss strategy, the people of Gaza are still enduring unthinkable suffering.
Over the weekend, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 41 Palestinians, while another 10 died trying to reach food aid, according to hospital officials in Gaza.
Tragically, two American aid workers from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation were also injured in an attack at a food distribution point.
The group blamed Hamas for the incident, though no evidence was provided.
The Human Cost Since the War Began
This devastating conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a brutal assault on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
Since then, Israel’s response has been relentless.
Gaza’s Health Ministry now reports that over 57,000 Palestinians have been killed—more than half of them women and children.
What was once a war between opposing forces has become a humanitarian catastrophe, with no clear end in sight.