Hamas Militant Rule in Gaza Region “Beginning to Collapse,” says IDF

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated on Saturday that the control of Hamas militants in the Gaza region is starting to break down. According to a report from Times of Israel, the IDF shared a video showing an apparent Hamas operative surrendering with an assault rifle to Israeli troops, signaling what they claim is the weakening of Hamas rule.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi mentioned, “We are seeing every day more and more terror operatives killed, more and more terror operatives wounded, and in recent days, we’re seeing terrorists surrendering — a sign of the disintegration of the system, a sign that we need to push harder.”

The leaked video shows a man near a tank, handing over a gun and magazine above his head before setting them down. Other Palestinians nearby, in their underwear, display ID cards while a soldier issues instructions in Arabic.

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar reportedly fled northern Gaza at the beginning of the conflict, hiding in a humanitarian convoy heading southward. IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari confirmed a significant number of Hamas members surrendered, providing valuable intelligence on the group’s operations Watch Video

Interrogations of surrendered terrorists revealed the difficult situation on the ground and dissatisfaction with the Hamas leadership. Hagari stated, “The intelligence that emerges from the interrogations creates more targets and aids us in the operational activity.”