Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has long overseen a covert police force in Gaza that conducted surveillance on ordinary Palestinians, compiled files on dissenters, journalists, and young people, according to intelligence officials and internal documents reviewed by The New York Times. The General Security Service, part of Hamas, used a network of informants to monitor and control the population, targeting those who attended protests or criticized the government.
The unit, operating under Sinwar’s direction, closely monitored individuals’ personal lives, including romantic relationships and social media activity. The documents reveal a pervasive system of control and oppression in Gaza, with security officials cracking down on any form of dissent or opposition.
Despite claiming to represent the people of Gaza, Hamas leaders were intolerant of criticism and used surveillance and intimidation tactics to suppress dissent. The General Security Service, with a monthly budget of $120,000, employed over 850 individuals, some of whom were paid to spread propaganda and attack opponents online.
The documents, provided by Israeli intelligence officials, shed light on the extent of Hamas’s surveillance and control over the population. The security service, functioning like a government agency, worked to protect Hamas leaders and stifle any form of protest or opposition.
Individuals named in the files, including journalist Ehab Fasfous, confirmed the accuracy of the information and described their interactions with security forces. Fasfous, labeled as a “hater of the Hamas movement,” was targeted for his involvement in protests and criticism of the government.
The General Security Service’s tactics, reminiscent of authoritarian regimes like Syria’s, included censorship, intimidation, and surveillance to maintain control over the population. Palestinians in Gaza lived in fear of reprisal and self-censored to avoid trouble with the authorities.
The files also revealed efforts to enforce a conservative social order, with reports of investigations into alleged immoral behavior and suspicion of foreign organizations and journalists. The security service closely monitored individuals’ activities, even noting mundane details like car models and license plate numbers.
Despite the end of the documents reviewed by The Times, individuals like Fasfous continued to face scrutiny and harassment from the authorities. The pervasive surveillance and control tactics employed by the General Security Service have created a climate of fear and silence in Gaza, where dissent is met with swift and severe repercussions.