A leading Middle East expert has said that “Hamas is in dire straits” after the Egyptian military removed Muslim Brotherhood Prime Minister Mohammed Morsi from power.

Ehud Yaari, a veteran commentator for Israel’s Channel 2 News, explained that the organisation, which governs the Gaza Strip, “has lost to differing degrees most of its supporters”, and that it was “an additional blow therefore to lose the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt ".

Mr Yaari went on to say that considering the “internal struggle” prompted by the organisation’s worsening relationships with Iran, Syria and Hizbollah, this was “the most severe crisis amongst the top leadership of Hamas for many, many years”.

He also predicted a mixed reaction in Israel if Mohamed El-Baradei, who was previously director general of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, is made interim prime minister.

“El-Baradei is not well liked in Israel, certainly among people who deal with nuclear issues, but people appreciate that he represents the liberal trends in Egypt which we hope will have the upper hand.”

Mr Yaari was speaking on a conference call with the London-based Britain Israel Communications & Research Centre (BICOM).