Hamas carries out wave of executions in Gaza, citing crime and security concerns

A greatly weakened Hamas has sought to reassert itself in Gaza since the start of the ceasefire, killing at least 33 people in a crackdown on groups that have tested its control, and appears to have won U.S. approval to temporarily police the shattered enclave.

Bombed by Israel during the war sparked by the October 7, 2023 attacks, Hamas has gradually sent its men back onto the streets of Gaza since the ceasefire began on Friday, acting cautiously to avoid a sudden collapse, according to two security sources in the territory.

This Monday, Hamas sent members of its military wing, the Qassam Brigades, to free the last living hostages captured from Israel two years ago. It was a reminder of one of the biggest challenges facing US President Donald Trump in the effort to secure a lasting deal for Gaza, as the US, Israel and many other nations demand that Hamas disarm.

Images from Reuters showed dozens of Hamas fighters lined up at a hospital in southern Gaza, one of them wearing a shoulder patch identifying him as a member of the elite “Shadow Unit,” which Hamas sources say is tasked with protecting hostages.

One of the Gaza sources, a security official, said that since the ceasefire, Hamas forces have killed 32 members of “a gang affiliated with a family in Gaza City,” while six of its members were also killed.

Later on Monday, a video circulating on social media appeared to show several armed and masked men, some wearing green bandanas similar to those worn by Hamas, shooting at least seven men with machine guns after forcing them to kneel in the street. The publications identified the video as having been filmed in Gaza this Monday. Civilian spectators cheered “Allah Akbar” (God is Great) and called the dead “collaborators”.

A Reuters was unable to immediately verify the video’s events, date, or location. There was no immediate response from Hamas.

Last month, Hamas-led authorities said they executed three men accused of collaborating with Israel. Video of the public murder was shared on social media.

Temporary policing role?

Trump’s plan envisages the departure of Hamas from power in a demilitarized Gaza, administered by a Palestinian committee under international supervision. He proposes sending an international stabilization mission that will train and support a Palestinian police force.

But Trump, speaking on his way to the Middle East, suggested that Hamas had been given a temporary green light to police Gaza.

“They really want to end the problems and have been open about that, and we have given them approval for a period of time,” he said, responding to a question about reports that Hamas was shooting at rivals and setting itself up as a police force.

Following the ceasefire, Ismail Al-Thawabta, head of the Hamas government’s media office in Gaza, told Reuters that the group would not allow a security vacuum and would maintain public safety and property.

Hamas has ruled out any discussion of its arsenal, saying it would be ready to hand over its weapons to a future Palestinian state. The group said it does not intend to have a role in Gaza’s future governing body, but that this should be decided by the Palestinians, without foreign control.

Internal conflict with clans

As the war dragged on, a weakened Hamas faced growing internal challenges to its control of Gaza from groups with which it had long been at odds, often affiliated with clans.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously said that Israel was arming clans that oppose Hamas, without identifying them.

In Gaza City, Hamas has mainly been fighting the Doghmosh clan, according to residents and Hamas sources.

The security official did not identify the “gang” targeted in Gaza City, nor did he say whether it was suspected of supporting Israel.

The most prominent leader of the anti-Hamas clan is Yasser Abu Shabab, based in the Rafah area — a region from which Israel has not yet withdrawn.

Offering attractive salaries, his group recruited hundreds of fighters, a source close to Abu Shabab told Reuters previously. Hamas calls him a collaborator with Israel, which he denies.

The Gaza security official said that, separate from the clashes in Gaza City, Hamas security forces killed Abu Shabab’s “right-hand man” and that efforts are being made to kill Abu Shabab himself.

Abu Shabab did not immediately respond to questions about the official’s comments. THE Reuters could not verify the claim that his aide had been killed.

Hussam al-Astal, another anti-Hamas leader based in Khan Younis in Israeli-controlled areas, mocked the group in a video message on Sunday, saying that once the group handed over the hostages, its role and dominance in Gaza would end.

Palestinian analyst Reham Owda said Hamas’ actions were aimed at stopping groups that collaborated with Israel and contributed to insecurity during the war. Hamas also aims to show that its security officials should be part of a new government, although this is rejected by Israel, she said.