The sources said the new members of the Shura, or Consultative, Council were elected 10 days ago via secret ballot; and while the names of the members are kept a closely guarded secret, the vote resulted in a major "coup" for "young guard" in Hamas, who the sources said are closely affiliated with the party's armed wing, Izzadin Kassam, The Jerusalem Post reported Friday.

"The Shura Council of Hamas is now dominated by warlords, thugs and militiamen," one source said. "The new members are not as educated as their predecessors.

The council, which is tasked with discussing important Hamas issues, is now expected to take a harder stance on the release of Israeli Forces Sgt. Schalit, who was taken prisoner by Izzadin Kassam in 2006, the sources said.

Meanwhile, Schalit's mother, Aviva Schalit, made a public plea to her son on the occasion of his 22nd birthday Thursday in the family's hometown of Mitzpe Hila.

"I asked just one thing, 'Giladi, be strong, in the way that you know to be, and don't break. Think all the time that we are with you and advocating for you, and that we will get you out of there," she said.

Aviva Schalit also called on Israeli leaders to increase efforts to being her son home.

"There is no price (that can be set on) the life of a soldier who was sent by his nation to serve and fell in that mission," she said.