Revealed: Hamas' Secret Surveillance Apparatus in Gaza

A recent exposé by The New York Times has unveiled the extensive surveillance operations conducted by Hamas through its secretive General Security Service (GSS) in the Gaza Strip. This internal security force, under the direct supervision of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, has been actively monitoring journalists, young people, and dissenters, compiling detailed files on at least ten thousand Gazans.

The GSS, distinguished by its focus on censorship and surveillance over outright violence, has become a pervasive presence in Gaza, managing to infiltrate virtually every aspect of daily life. The organization operates alongside two other security entities in Gaza—Military Intelligence and the Interior Ministry's Internal Security Service.

Documents reviewed by the Times, which include a 62-slide presentation prepared for Sinwar, reveal the GSS's methods and scope. Before the recent conflict began on October 7, the GSS employed 856 individuals, dedicating a significant portion of its resources to spreading Hamas propaganda and attacking the movement’s critics both within Gaza and internationally.

One notable target of the GSS was journalist Ehab Fasfous, described in the files as a "major hater of the Hamas movement." Records show that Fasfous was detained by GGS officers as he was heading to a protest, his phone confiscated and misused to damage his reputation.

The GSS's tactics extend beyond individual surveillance. It has also been tasked with quashing protests, such as those over power shortages and high living costs in Gaza last year. Moreover, the service has conducted media campaigns designed to "confuse and influence adversaries," utilizing private information as a weapon against opposition.

This extensive surveillance network relies heavily on informants, including neighbors informing on each other, further entrenching a climate of fear and mistrust among Gaza's populace. According to Mkhaimar Abusada, a professor of political science in Gaza City, this environment has led to widespread self-censorship, as residents seek to avoid the wrath of the Hamas government.

The GSS's activities raise significant concerns about human rights violations and the suppression of free speech within Gaza. As the conflict with Israel continues, the international community remains vigilant about the actions of Hamas, not only in terms of its external aggression but also its internal governance tactics that deeply affect the daily lives of Gazan citizens.

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