This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, a new report indicates Islamic terrorists in Hamas have gone without pay for close to three months as they face severe financial pressure after Israel stopped humanitarian aid from entering Gaza in March.
The Jerusalem Post quotes a report by the London-based Saudi Asharq al Awsat newspaper, which indicates the military wing of Hamas, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, "has struggled not only to pay its fighters but also to buy military equipment."
"Palestinian Authority employees affiliated with Hamas have also been impacted, getting paid only 900 shekels a month," the report added.
The Jewish News Syndicate reports: "Hamas is under 'great pressure' with the terror organization having lost most of its assets and control of Gaza, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir declared during a Sunday tour of the Strip."
"We are intensifying our activity according to a structured plan," Zamir told Israeli soldiers fighting in southern Gaza.
"Hamas is under tremendous pressure; it has lost most of its assets and its command-and-control structure. We will use all our tools to bring the hostages home, to defeat Hamas and to dismantle its rule."
"This is not an endless war; we will shorten it as we achieve its goals," Zamir continued.
"We aim to win and will do so with determination, thoroughness, and while maintaining the safety of our forces."
The popularity of Hamas in Gaza has plunged dramatically since the outset of the war, as residents are "openly criticizing and protesting the terrorist group," the Jerusalem Post noted.
"In late March, hundreds of Gazan citizens marched in the northern town of Beit Lahiya carrying white flags, calling to end the Hamas rule, and even calling to hand over the Israeli hostages," the Post reported.
"In the West Bank, Hamas members have faced arrests and crackdowns by Israeli and Palestinian security forces. Many cells have been dismantled or lost funding, limiting their ability to carry out terrorist attacks," according to the report.
