Explainer: Who is Maha Hamze, matriarch of the notorious Hamzy family

Maha Hamze was shot in the back through the front door of her home in 2013 and survived. Here’s everything you need to know about the Hamzy matriarch.

Maha Hamze was shot in the back through the front door of her home in 2013 and survived.

But when gunmen came for her son Bilal as he left a Sydney CBD restaurant last June, he would not be so lucky.

When news of Bilal Hamze’s assassination reached his family, the immediate reaction of his younger brother and fellow underworld figure Ibrahem was to punch a hole in the wall, breaking his hand as a result.

However after that initial grief the next move was to ensure the rest of the family was safe – particularly the family’s matriarch.

An elaborate $20,000 security system was set-up surrounding Maha’s housing commission flat at Auburn, it included more than a dozen CCTV cameras and a metal gate across the driveway.

But that safety net is now gone after the Land and Housing Corporation ordered the additions – which were unapproved and therefore unallowed at a government-owned property – be torn down.

Maha Hamze has long been regarded as the matriarch of the Hamzy family. Picture: John Grainger

Underworld kingpin Bilal was shot dead as he left a CBD restaurant late at night.

While her surname is infamous, there is no suggestion Maha is in any way involved in criminal activities.

The last time there was a shooting at the matriarch’s townhouse was in January 2021, when bullets shot down the driveway pierced a window at nearby Auburn Hospital – shattering glass and cutting a nurse.

In the wake of her son Bilal’s murder last June, major security upgrades worth $20,000 were made to Maha’s townhouse in Auburn – but they have since been torn down. Picture: John Grainger

His death came eight months after the assassination of his cousin Mejid Hamzy, and seven months before his cousin Ghassan Amoun was killed. Picture: Adam Yip

Not only are the security upgrades now gone, but Maha also has a lot less family around to protect her.

Bilal’s death came sixth months before Ibrahem was arrested and charged for allegedly co-ordinating an attempted assassination at a Prospect Gym last year.

He remains behind bars on remand.

His high-profile cousin Bassam, once the head of the family, is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence.