Brigadier General Barak Hiram, who leads the IDF’s Gaza Division, conveyed that Hamas is on the verge of disintegration, with its control mechanisms failing and its authority in Gaza steadily deteriorating.
According to Kan News, Hiram indicated that the situation in Gaza could eventually lead to Hamas being ousted by its own population. He pointed out that Hamas is facing serious financial difficulties, especially in paying its members, which is contributing to the breakdown of its administrative and military functions.
“We see that the pressure we’re applying—both directly on Hamas’ military arm and on its governing structures, as well as the indirect pressure on the population—is having a significant effect,” Hiram said during a meeting with residents of Kibbutz Nirim, located near the Gaza frontier.
He continued, “It’s pushing them into positions they previously wouldn’t even consider, both in terms of returning the hostages and in their grip on Gaza. I believe we’ll see their release through a negotiated agreement made possible by pressure. It’s not only the heroic operations—it’s both those and the pressure.”
Hiram pointed out that “Hamas has been having a very hard time paying salaries to its entire apparatus in recent months. Now, as soon as the apparatus ceases to exist, and people stop reporting for Hamas work, Hamas loses its power and Hamas ceases to exist.”
Describing the nature of Hamas rule, he said, “Hamas is a dictatorial regime, and more than it fears an outside enemy, it fears an internal one,” and warned that despotic Arab regimes fear uprisings more than foreign threats. “For Arab rulers, their worst nightmare is the people dragging them into the streets. I believe that the last Hamas leader—if we don’t manage to kill him—will be taken out by the people, who will treat him as Libyans treated Gadhafi. When that happens, we’ll know the time is right to form a new model of governance in that area—one that isn’t Hamas.”
He underscored that the elimination of Hamas’s infrastructure and the interruption of its capabilities are essential to achieving Israel’s military objectives. He also confirmed that the army has neutralized all underground tunnels connecting Gaza to Egypt, stating that such tunnels no longer exist.
On the topic of humanitarian assistance, Hiram stressed the need for close oversight to block the trafficking of contraband and the creation of weapons. He noted that freeing the hostages is more likely to happen through persistent pressure rather than relying solely on battlefield achievements.
Though he acknowledged that major hurdles remain, Hiram voiced optimism about the IDF’s continued efforts to neutralize Hamas and bring back a sense of safety.
{Matzav.com}