Categories: News/Conflict

Hamas Executes, Reasserts Control Over Gazan Clans and Gangs

Hamas Executes, Reasserts Control Over Gazan Clans and Gangs

Hamas Moves to Reassert Authority in Gaza’s Turbulent Landscape

The Islamic militant group Hamas has stepped up public displays of force in Gaza City, aiming to tighten its grip over local clans and armed groups that challenge its authority. A recently circulated video, verified by ABC News Verify, appears to show Hamas-affiliated fighters carrying out executions in the Sabra district of Gaza City. The clip contributes to a broader pattern of the group attempting to reestablish control after an Israel Defense Forces withdrawal and amid a fragile ceasefire arrangement.

The Context: Clans, Gangs, and a Contested Security Space

In Gaza, the term clan refers to powerful extended families that wield significant influence in commerce, local governance, and security. Analysts say these families have long used their influence to protect interests and assert autonomy from de facto authorities, including Hamas. Recent footage and reporting suggest Hamas is targeting factions within these networks, presenting itself as the entity capable of restoring order in areas where aid theft and lawlessness have been alleged.

What the Video Shows (Non-Graphic Summary)

According to the verified report, men are forced to kneel in a public space with a crowd gathered nearby. Masked fighters, some identifiable by green headbands linked to Hamas’s military wing, execute the men. The release caption alleges the executions target collaborators and lawbreakers. While the authenticity of every detail continues to be analyzed, the clip is consistent with recent statements from Hamas-affiliated channels claiming to “enforce” discipline in Gaza City.

International and Local Reactions

The incident drew mixed reactions. The Palestinian Authority’s Mahmoud Abbas condemned the killings, underscoring a division among Palestinian leaderships over approaches to security in Gaza. On the international stage, U.S. President Donald Trump characterized the violence as a means of eradicating “gangs” that he characterized as dangerous, though his remarks were met with skepticism by observers who caution against extrajudicial actions and the risk to innocent civilians.

Expert Perspective: Legality, Accountability, and Security Trade-offs

Experts such as Abdalhadi Alijla, a Palestinian-Swedish political scientist, describe the actions as extrajudicial. He cautions that such measures can also lead to the wrongful targeting of uninvolved individuals in a context where formal courts and robust rule-of-law mechanisms are absent. Analysts note that, for Hamas, public executions can be a strategic tool to deter rival clans and signal control, but they also risk inflaming tensions and inviting cycles of retribution.

Why This Matters: The Human and Political Fallout

The events underscore a broader struggle for legitimacy in Gaza. While Hamas positions itself as the stabilizing force in a city scarred by war and poverty, residents face the risk of arbitrary violence amid ongoing economic hardship and humanitarian concerns. Reports of aid diversion and clashes with rival groups have already complicated relief efforts and raised questions about accountability in a densely populated, conflict-affected territory.

What Comes Next?

Analysts say the ceasefire arrangement may influence Hamas’s tempo in reasserting control, potentially taking days to weeks to consolidate its security apparatus across Gaza. Whether Hamas seeks disarmament or maintains its current posture remains unclear, but observers warn that any attempt to disarm or disband rival networks could carry significant risk of confrontation.

As the situation evolves, journalists, human rights organizations, and regional actors will continue to scrutinize the balance Hamas tries to strike between maintaining order and avoiding abuses that undermine local support and international legitimacy.