Rising Tensions in Gaza: Hamas Reasserts Control
The latest video circulating online shows what appears to be Hamas fighters carrying out executions in a Gaza City neighbourhood, a chilling display of the group’s effort to reestablish authority over local clans as it negotiates power amid an evolving security landscape. The footage, verified by ABC News Verify, is said to originate from the Sabra district, where a crowd gathers as masked gunmen, some identifiable by green insignia linked to Hamas’ military wing, execute several men. The release of the clip underscores the group’s ongoing strategy to project strength in the wake of disputed or fragmented governance in Gaza.
What the Video Shows and How It Is Being Interpreted
According to a Hamas-affiliated Telegram post accompanying the clip, the executions were described as “the death sentence against a number of collaborators and lawbreakers.” Public displays of punishment are not new in Gaza, but the timing and setting — amid broader efforts to reassert control over street-level factions — have drawn particular attention from observers and international actors alike. Officials caution that video evidence can reflect a range of motives, including intimidation, deterrence, or political messaging aimed at rival groups and former networks accused of looting aid or challenging de facto authorities.
Legal and Human Rights Context
Experts highlight that extrajudicial actions complicate the already fragile justice landscape in Gaza. Abdalhadi Alijla, a Palestinian-Swedish political scientist, described the footage as an extrajudicial execution while noting that, in the absence of functioning courts, communities feel pressure to take matters into their own hands. He cautions that such actions risk harming innocent people and escalating cycles of violence. The discourse around “collaborators” and “lawbreakers” often intersects with clan dynamics, security concerns, and the distribution of charitable or humanitarian aid that has long been entangled with local power structures.
Clans, Gangs, and the Local Power Matrix
The conflict’s backdrop includes entrenched clan networks in Gaza, where large families maintain influence in business and political life. Analysts point to individuals and families — sometimes labeled as “troublemakers” by observers — who have clashed with Hamas or others in control of territory. In Sabra, the Doghmosh clan has been cited in reporting as a prominent local group with historical tensions with Hamas and other extremist actors. Observers argue that factions involved in aid theft, security clashes, and political leverage shape the environment in which Hamas seeks to project order and legitimacy.
What This Means for Gaza’s Security Landscape
Analysts say the video marks Hamas’s continued effort to reconstitute security apparatus on the ground following shifts that emerged after Israel’s withdrawal from some areas and a new ceasefire dynamic. If the ceasefire persists, Hamas faces the challenge of building a coherent security force capable of managing rival networks without provoking further unrest. Some observers expect a period of intense consolidation that could last days to weeks as the group works to integrate security personnel and establish broader control over contested neighborhoods.
International Reactions and the Road Ahead
Reaction to the violence remains cautious. The Palestinian Authority in the West Bank condemned the killings, while statements from Western leaders have varied in tone, with some acknowledging the need for stability and security in Gaza while urging restraint and due process. Political experts stress that any long-term stabilization will require credible governance structures, accountability mechanisms, and an end to extrajudicial actions that undermine civilian safety and public trust.
Conclusion
The surfaced footage highlights a volatile moment in Gaza’s ongoing struggle to balance security, authority, and the welfare of civilians amid competing power centers. As Hamas seeks to reassert control, the path ahead will hinge on the group’s ability to balance coercive measures with accountable governance, while neighbors and international observers watch for signs of lasting stability rather than quick, violent demonstrations of power.
