Hamas, the Palestinian group that carried out a violent attack on Israel, was revealed to have a secret police agency that conducted surveillance on Gaza residents similar to the infamous East German spy agency, the Stasi. The New York Times exposed this information using documents obtained from Israeli forces who raided Hamas posts in Gaza. The Times also confirmed the spying through interviews with the targets of Hamas surveillance.
The General Security Service, a part of Hamas but operating as a government entity, used a network of informants to monitor residents, leading to individuals being watched for attending protests or criticizing Hamas. The service, consisting of 856 people with expenses amounting to $120,000 per month, was involved in spreading propaganda and launching online attacks. Following a significant blow to Hamas’s capabilities by Israel, the current status of the unit is unknown.
Hamas utilized the gathered information to intimidate dissenters and ruin personal lives by falsely accusing individuals of extramarital affairs. This oppressive behavior is reminiscent of the Stasi, a repressive intelligence service in East Germany, which violated civil and human rights to maintain power.
During the war, Israel discovered caches of intelligence and cash in underground hideouts abandoned by fleeing Hamas leaders. This revelation exposes the extent of Hamas’s surveillance and control over Gaza residents.
