More than 82 days have passed since the 7 October attack. IDF fighters are currently in the midst of the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip with the aim of dismantling the terrorist organization from a governmental and military standpoint, and bringing about the release of the hostages.
It can now be said that within three months, the IDF significantly damaged nine Hamas battalions, eliminating three of them. That's according to an assessment published by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which tracks military conflicts around the world. Each such battalion consists of more than 1,000 terrorists, including Nukhba forces.
The Institute relies in part on IDF data, but also on Palestinian sources. It teaches about the situation on the ground and the progress in achieving the goals of the war. To this end, the Institute used the following definitions for the status of the Hamas Brigades: operative, inactive, and significantly damaged. Significant damage, or "dismantling," as the Institute describes, was defined as a temporary situation in which the losses of the Hamas battalion make it difficult for it to function to a great extent, but its terrorists still have the ability to operate.
Thus, for example, if the Sejaiya Battalion lost its command and hundreds of its terrorists died, it is defined as disbanded. If the area is cleared, as in the case of Beit Hanoun, the battalion is classified as "inactive." Alongside the destruction of the tunnels, dismantling the battalions is one of the most significant tasks in removing the threat from Gaza. It would prevent the ability to carry out incursions in the format of October 7.
The dismantling of Hamas' battalions, or even their destruction, does not completely prevent the guerrilla capabilities of lone terrorists in the Gaza Strip. This mission will take a long time and will probably include raids by special units in the IDF. Against this background, we reviewed the current situation of the five brigades in Hamas.
Northern Gaza Brigade
It is one of the strongest brigades in Hamas. It was headed by Ahmed Ghandour, commander of Hamas' northern Gaza Strip, considered the number 3 military wing after Muhammad Deif and Marwan Issa.
Fighting in Gaza in an iron sword war, photo: IDF Spokesperson
Ghandour was also in charge of the Gaza City Brigade, and was assassinated along with his deputy Wael Rajab and other commanders. On the eve of the war, the Northern Brigade consisted of six battalions, all of which were effectively disbanded and two of which were not completely eradicated. According to IDF estimates, this brigade includes 5,500 terrorists.
Gaza City Brigade
Hamas' largest brigade. It is headed by Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, who was subordinate to Ghandur. Of the brigade's six battalion commanders, four were eliminated. The two remaining battalion commanders are Imad Aslim and Jaber Hassan Aziz.
According to the American Institute, the brigade's six battalions were damaged in such a way that it barely functioned. It is estimated to include more than 8,000 terrorists. All battalions suffered significant damage, and one of them was removed (the Shati Battalion). These days, the military effort is concentrated mainly against the Daraj Tufah Battalion, which has not yet achieved operational control of its territory and has gathered terrorists from battalions that were defeated.
Central Camps Division
This brigade is considered the smallest and includes four relatively weak battalions. In recent days, the IDF has expanded its military operations in Al Mu'azi, Al Bureig, Nuseirat and Deir al Balah refugee camps. According to Palestinian reports, there were extensive Israeli Air Force airstrikes and exchanges of fire in the area.
IDF activity in the Gaza Strip, photo: IDF Spokesperson
The commander of the area, Ayman Nofal, was assassinated at the beginning of the war. He was also responsible for coordination with the other terrorist organizations. The one who remained was Brigade Commander Ghazi Abu Tama'a, who was appointed when he fell and was imprisoned in Egypt.
Khan Yunis Brigade
Perhaps the most significant brigade in the terrorist organization, mainly because it protects the top brass of Hamas that is hiding in the Khan Yunis tunnels. The brigade includes five battalions that are under massive attack by IDF forces. The commander of the brigade is Rafa Salemeh. Above him in the chain of command is Muhammad Sinwar, commander of the southern Gaza Strip.
The destruction in the Gaza Strip, photo: AFP
Rafah Brigade
The brigade's three battalions are under the command of senior Hamas figure Muhammad Shabaneh. An attack on the Shabana family home was reported on 20 October. It is believed to have been an assassination attempt, but as of this writing no confirmation of his death has been received. So far, the maneuver has not reached Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Gazans who evacuated from other areas are concentrated. However, a series of airstrikes were carried out in the city. The brigade is also responsible for smuggling at the border.
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