Hamas Struggles to Recruit Amid Heavy Losses in War

By Yoni Weiss

Hamas is facing significant difficulties in recruiting new members after losing nearly half its terrorists during the ongoing war. The group’s control over Gaza is weakening, with local clans taking over humanitarian aid distribution, according to reports from Israeli sources.

Israeli estimates suggest that Hamas has managed to recruit only a few hundred new members. Despite efforts to reorganize in parts of Gaza where the IDF’s intense operations have ceased, Hamas has not regained its capabilities from Oct. 7. The IDF estimates that over 14,000 Hamas terrorists have been killed. A complete cessation of IDF activities might allow Hamas to recruit more extensively over time, but current numbers indicate significant recruitment challenges.

Yoni Ben Menachem, a senior researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, explained to Yisrael Hayom that most new recruits are teenagers aged 16 and above, motivated by payments from Hamas’s military wing. He emphasized that this phenomenon is concerning as these young recruits are familiar with the terrain and can move quickly.

The recruitment struggles coincide with Hamas losing control over the distribution of humanitarian aid. Reports indicate that criminal gangs from local clans in Khan Yunis and central refugee camps are looting aid trucks. Even if some cooperation with Hamas exists behind the scenes, this situation reflects the growing chaos in Gaza. Hamas has attempted to instill fear among Gazans through public executions, one of which was documented recently.

Palestinians have increasingly attacked Hamas in recent weeks, with a Palestinian source stating that Gaza residents feel Hamas’s leadership lacks a clear vision for stability. “Hamas is facing growing resistance. The victory that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh spoke about is divorced from reality. Israel controls Gaza from north to south, and so far, there are no indications that Hamas achieved victory; on the contrary, Hamas is worried about the day after this conflict.”

Hamas’s situation varies across Gaza. In the northern Gaza Strip, there are no functioning battalions, but local guerrilla organizations exist, led by figures like Ezz Al-Din Al-Haddad. In contrast, Khan Yunis and the central camps present more complex challenges due to greater freedom of movement for terrorists and the presence of potential recruits.

Senior Hamas leaders, including Mohammed Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Rafa Salama, have not been eliminated, indicating the IDF needs more time for operations to fully neutralize Hamas. Currently, Hamas is transitioning from a military force with near-absolute control to a guerrilla organization with limited capabilities.

A Gaza source affiliated with Hamas expressed concern about a “dangerous scenario” where Israel might declare an end to operations but continue raids and air strikes. The source estimated that Hamas would persist in attempting attacks against IDF forces. Footage suggests that operatives are hiding among displaced persons and producing weapons in makeshift workshops.

Ben Menachem warns that many tunnels remain unexplored by the IDF, with estimates ranging from 400 kilometers to 700 kilometers in length. He emphasized that despite significant losses, thousands of Hamas terrorists are still functioning, and key leaders remain at large, hidden within these tunnels.