Senior Hamas Member Admits Israel Dismantled Terror Power Centers in Prisons After October Attacks

A senior Hamas operative imprisoned in the West Bank revealed that Israel's National Security Ministry and Prison Service have significantly weakened Hamas's organizational control within Israeli prisons since the October 7 massacre. The testimony, given by a prominent Hamas prisoner, describes a dramatic shift in the prisoners' reality, primarily due to the dismantling of the organizational division of inmates by their terror group affiliation. This move has dealt a severe strategic blow to Hamas, which historically relied on five main strongholds, including its prison factions, to maintain influence and coordinate activities.

Before the October attacks, Hamas exercised near-total control over its prison operations, with leadership inside prisons wielding power equal to or greater than external leadership. Prisons served as critical hubs for recruiting new members, orchestrating military actions outside, building economic and organizational infrastructure, and studying Israeli security systems. Many young militants sought prison time to gain experience and status within Hamas.

Following the reforms led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Prison Service Commissioner Kobi Yakobi, the organizational segregation of prisoners by group was abolished, mixing inmates from different terror organizations. According to the Hamas prisoner, this has effectively ended Hamas's control and organized activity inside prisons, leaving members focused on personal survival rather than recruitment or coordination. The once-powerful prison spokesperson role has disappeared.

The prisoner warned that reversing these prison management changes would be a major strategic error for Israel. The testimony highlights that Hamas has suffered a significant setback not only on the battlefield but also behind bars, undermining one of its key operational bases.