The outgoing fire control commander of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Southern Command stated that Hamas no longer functions as a conventional military force, but added that the IDF will need another year to dismantle Hamas’ military and governance capabilities fully.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), The commander noted that Hamas’ brigades have been “damaged to the point of disbandment” and that their fighters now primarily rely on guerilla-style attacks targeting Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.
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The commander expressed confidence that within a year, the IDF would achieve “complete freedom of action” in Gaza, and that Hamas could be weakened to the point of no recovery. His assessment aligns with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s recent statement that Hamas is no longer an organized military force in the region.
Captured Hamas documents further support the claim of the group’s deteriorating military capabilities.
On September 11, Gallant released a letter from Hamas Khan Younis Brigade Commander Rafe Salamah to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, written before Salamah’s death in July 2024.
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In the letter, Salamah reported that his brigade had lost 50% of its fighters, with an additional 25% unable to fight due to physical or mental unfitness. He also noted that the brigade had lost control over a significant portion of its weaponry.
The IDF’s operations have not only affected Hamas in Khan Younis but have also led to the collapse of Hamas’ Rafah Brigade, according to Israeli military sources. Reports indicate that Hamas fighters in Rafah have been fleeing through tunnels, further signaling the breakdown of command structure and unit cohesion.
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While Hamas continues to carry out sporadic attacks, the intensity and frequency of these operations have significantly diminished in recent months. Hamas now appears to be operating in small, decentralized cells across the Gaza Strip, rather than as a unified force.
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