Hamas goes on killing spree in Gaza after releasing Israeli hostages

When Palestinians were hoping that peace would finally return to Gaza after the ceasefire with Israel, Hamas started a bloodbath. In a move to consolidate power and rule over the ruins, the Palestinian terrorist group has started executing members of rival militia. At least eight people were killed by the firing squad of Hamas, in what appeared to be a semi-public execution, according to a Shafaq News report. Over 50 rival members have been killed in all, Ynet reported.

The actions come shortly after US President Donald Trump publicly stated that Hamas could manage internal security.

Video footage circulating on local social media platforms showed masked security personnel carrying out the sentences, with the victims blindfolded and bound. Hamas officials claimed the executed individuals had engaged in criminal activities and cooperated with Israeli forces during the recent two-year conflict, which has left much of Gaza in ruins.

The crackdown escalated into violent clashes with rival factions, including the influential Doghmush clan, one of Gaza's most powerful armed groups.

Video footage circulating on local platforms showed masked security personnel carrying out the executions in what appeared to be a public or semi-public location, reported Shafaq News.

According to reports from the Israeli news outlet Ynet, 52 members of the Dogmush clan were killed in confrontations with Hamas' internal security forces. Twelve Hamas fighters/terrorists also died in the fighting, including the son of senior Hamas official Bassem Naim. Witnesses described Hamas gunmen using ambulances to infiltrate the clan's neighbourhood, a tactic that has drawn criticism for endangering civilians.

The Dogmush clan, known for its heavy armament and past skirmishes with Hamas, has been accused by the group of receiving support from Israel. Israeli officials have acknowledged providing limited aid and weapons to certain Gaza militias in recent months, including one led by Yasser Abu Shabab in Rafah. Hamas recently claimed to have killed a close associate of Abu Shabab and stated it is actively pursuing him.

Analysts suggest the recent violence is a deliberate message from Hamas. According to the Washington Free Beacon, the gunmen involved belong to Hamas' Arrow Unit, an internal security force notorious for its aggressive tactics against civilians, as noted by Joe Truzman, a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).

Truzman's colleague, Ahmad Sharawi, described the events as Hamas "settling scores" after emerging from hiding.

"After two years of war, its fighters have crawled out of their tunnels to confront those who opposed them," Sharawi said. "We've seen clans and armed militias challenge the group's rule and its decision to bring devastation to the coastal enclave. Yet this moment reveals that Hamas still intends to keep its weapons, a reality that must be addressed with clear benchmarks and enforcement mechanisms when phase two negotiations on disarmament begin."

Residents in Gaza expressed fears that the violence could unravel the enclave's delicate internal dynamics, potentially sparking retaliatory attacks among rival families and clans.

The executions and clashes follow the initial implementation of the ceasefire on Monday, which saw the release of hostages and prisoners between Israel and Hamas. The deal, part of a broader US-mediated peace plan, aims to end the protracted war but has faced hurdles. Under the plan, Hamas is not intended to retain governance of Gaza and is expected to disarm—a condition the group has staunchly rejected. Instead, Hamas has proposed handing over administration to local Palestinian forces, while opposing any foreign military presence.

Hamas leaders have emphasised their intent to prevent a "security vacuum" in the Strip post-ceasefire. However, Israel continues to demand full disarmament, a non-negotiable stance for Jerusalem. Israeli troops remain positioned in parts of Rafah, northern Gaza, and along the border, a point of contention for Hamas, which insists on a complete withdrawal.

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