Hamas In Rough Shape With Tehran In Disarray

Hamas may be on its last legs as Israel’s weakening of Iran and arming of rival clans in the Gaza Strip threatens to choke the fight out of the militant group, Reuters reported Friday.

Hamas has lost much of its top-level leadership, struggles with a collapsing tunnel network and faces potential abandonment from its most powerful ally in Tehran after the Israeli and U.S. strikes on the Islamic Republic, according to Reuters. President Donald Trump instituted a ceasefire between Iran and Israel June 23, paving the way for Israel to refocus its efforts to destroy Hamas.

“They’re hiding because they are being instantly hit by planes but they appear here and there, organizing queues in front of bakeries, protecting aid trucks or punishing criminals,” a construction worker in Gaza City told Reuters regarding Hamas’ recent activities. “They’re not like before the war, but they exist.”

Hamas’ strength has dropped off considerably, with the militant group even reportedly struggling to pay its own fighters as supplies dwindle. Israel is working toward the eventual objective of achieving total control over the Gaza Strip and denying Hamas the ability to ever regain control of the territory again.