Hamas Reasserts Control in Gaza Amid Trump’s Disarmament Threat and Reports of Public Executions
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A fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is being tested as Hamas strengthens its grip, leading to disturbing reports of violence and prompting a warning from former US President Donald Trump.
The US-brokered ceasefire, intended to bring relief to the region, is facing immediate challenges as hamas moves to reassert control over Gaza, targeting individuals it labels as “collaborators.” Former President Trump, speaking on Tuesday, threatened to “disarm them violently” if the reported executions and increased policing continue.This statement comes amidst growing concerns about the security situation within the Strip.
Verified videos circulating online depict Hamas’s internal security forces patrolling Gaza City streets, and masked fighters carrying out executions of suspected collaborators. These actions follow the group’s stated commitment to eliminate “lawlessness” within the Strip. Other verified videos reveal armed men, identified by their insignia as members of Hamas’s internal security force, patrolling the streets, and masked fighters opening fire on unarmed individuals.
The execution, which occurred at a junction in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City – recently reclaimed by Hamas following an Israeli military withdrawal – involved eight men lined up before a crowd, including at least one child. Witnesses reportedly shouted accusations of “collaborator” or “agent” before the men were shot. Following the executions,fighters celebrated,shouting “long live the al-Qassam Brigades,” Hamas’s military wing. Another verified video shows a man being shot in the leg by masked fighters at the same location. The origin of the initial footage dates back to October 10th, with no earlier instances found through Google image searches.
Analysts suggest this show of force is, at least in part, a response to armed clans that have increasingly challenged Hamas’s authority over the past two years. These tensions predate the recent conflict, with groups like the Dughmush clan historically involved in smuggling activities along the border with Israel. Recent clashes between Hamas and the Dughmush clan resulted in over 50 fatalities, including 12 Hamas members.
Adding another layer of complexity, reports indicate that Israel has previously supplied weapons to other armed groups within the Strip, potentially as a means of countering Hamas’s influence. A Hamas internal security unit recently vowed to “eradicate gangs and militias” accused of cooperating “with the enemy.”
US Response and the Question of Security
In response to Hamas’s re-emergence and increased policing efforts, Trump stated that these actions did not violate the existing peace agreement. He indicated that the US had previously granted Hamas a period of leeway, acknowledging the challenges facing the nearly 2 million peopel returning to damaged buildings.
Professor Fawaz Gerges,Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics,explained that the US and its allies may have limited options but to allow Hamas to demonstrate force if the ceasefire is to hold. “Without security you cannot deliver aid. Without security you cannot really have life,” he stated. “The Americans realize that the only force is Hamas and that’s the irony.”
The Role of External Support and Clan Dynamics
the weakening of Hamas’s control during Israel’s bombardment of Gaza created an opportunity for clans to gain strength. According to Yaniv Voller, a senior lecturer in Middle East Politics at the University of Kent, “The collapse of other social institutions has increased the appeal of the clan, which can serve as a social network for its members.” Voller further noted reports that some clans have received weapons and support from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to act as proxies against Hamas.
BBC Verify identified bases used by rival groups within IDF-controlled territory, including locations near Rafah and Beit Hanoun.
Palestinians living in Gaza have expressed fear regarding the public executions.”Why are people cheering for chaos?” one lawyer questioned.”A masked man kills another masked man without any proof, without investigation, without a court… what do we call this? Resistance? No, this is lawlessness.” Another activist added, “Executions without fair trial are a crime.”
The situation in gaza remains precarious, highlighting the complex interplay of political, security, and social factors that threaten the fragile ceasefire and the well-being of its residents.
