Internal Hamas documents seized by the Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza demonstrate that the terror organization directed up to 25% of humanitarian aid under its authority to its military wing until approximately April 2024, the Wall Street Journal reported. This diversion occurred throughout the war's initial phase.
The publication revealed that the document shows Hamas later decreased the portion of supplies channeled to its military branch to 7% as fighting continued, while directing an additional 8% to its political and administrative operations. Arab intelligence officials and a former senior Israeli intelligence operative confirmed that the document appears genuine. A Hamas representative declined to respond to the report.
The Wall Street Journal also detailed an IDF evaluation concluding that approximately 20,000 Hamas terrorists from an estimated force of 35,000 have been eliminated since hostilities began. In response to these losses, Arab intelligence officials reported that thousands of new terrorists have joined the organization, though these recruits received rudimentary training or basic instruction through informational materials on weapons handling and ambush tactics.
These officials assess that Hamas likely maintains around 25,000 terrorists within its military apparatus, alongside several thousand additional fighters affiliated with other terror groups operating in Gaza, while emphasizing that many lack combat experience. Israeli and Arab officials indicated these operatives face significant shortages of equipment, armaments, and funding.
Arab intelligence officials described challenges in maintaining salary payments for most terrorists, as the interruption of aid deliveries eliminated a crucial revenue stream. Israeli officials reported that Hamas generated hundreds of millions of dollars in cash and merchandise during the war's first year through systematic sales, taxation, and protection operations.
Additional intelligence assessments suggest Hamas maintains approximately 15% of its pre-war rocket arsenal, which previously encompassed more than 20,000 rockets and mortar systems.
