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Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gk79xlzwjo
Hamas Security Officer Says Group Has Lost Control over Most of Gaza
(BBC News) Rushdi Abualouf - A lieutenant colonel in Hamas's security forces has told the BBC the group has lost about 80% of its control over Gaza and that armed clans are filling the void. He said Hamas's command and control system had collapsed due to months of Israeli strikes that have devastated the group's political, military and security leadership. In several voice messages, he painted a picture of Hamas's internal disintegration. "Let's be realistic here - 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," he said. "Hamas's control is zero. There's no leadership, no command, no communication. Salaries are delayed, and when they do arrive, they're barely usable. Some die just trying to collect them. It's total collapse." Six armed groups affiliated with powerful local clans have emerged as serious contenders to fill the void. These groups have access to money, weapons and men, and are active across all of Gaza, but mostly in the south. One of them is led by Yasser Abu Shabab. Sources in Gaza told the BBC that Abu Shabab was working to co-ordinate with other armed groups to form a joint council aimed at toppling Hamas.