As a result, graphic footage has recently emerged, which allegedly shows Hamas executing people in the streets of Gaza. The video was first posted on X by a Hamas-affiliated account. It exposes masked gunmen in green headbands, whose actions, they claim, are part of the new security measures sweeping the violent region.
Political analysts have pointed to a radical transformation within Hamas. Abdalhadi Alijla, a Palestinian-Swedish political scientist and senior fellow at the Arab Reform Initiative, emphasizes that the group has entered a phase of reorganization. He told us that Hamas would require at least one or two weeks’ warning. This period will be key to cementing Hamas’s authority over Gaza following its recent bloody assault.
Allegations of Violence Against Collaborators
The security camera video shows Hamas operatives intentionally shooting at buildings tied to the Doghmosh family. This clan is perhaps best known for its history of clashes with the community in the Sabra neighborhood. The Doghmosh family certainly have long-standing ties to extremist groups such as the Islamic State. This contentious history has served to stoke long-standing hatreds and feed Hamas’s resurgence.
So for the ruling party Hamas’s actions are justified under the cover of preserving social order. A statement from a Hamas-affiliated Telegram account justified the executions by claiming that “the resistance carries out the death sentence against a number of collaborators and lawbreakers in the city of Gaza.”
Mr. Alijla remarked on the complex narrative surrounding these events: “But people now in Gaza are arguing that there is sometimes a need to do so. We don’t have courts, we don’t have anything.”
Context and Reactions to the Violence
The escalating violence has led to strident reactions from political leaders and governments across the world. Even the office of Mahmoud Abbas condemned the executions, highlighting increasing alarm that human rights are being trampled in Gaza. U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed the situation, stating that it “didn’t bother me much,” but acknowledged that Hamas had “taken out a couple of gangs that were very bad.”
As shared in an article by Frontline, violence is increasing as allegations get released. Well, dozens of gangs and militias operating in Gaza are reportedly stealing aid intended for Palestinians. Advocacy organizations argue that these actions have regularly been backed by outside influences, including Israel. Mr. Alijla noted the historical context: “For years, there have been allegations that gangs and militias… have stolen aid before it reached Palestinians.”
Future Implications and Organizing Forces
Looking beyond the conflict, Mr. Alijla is convinced that should the ceasefire endure, Hamas will be forced to increase its pace. He noted families like the Doghmosh and the Helles clan often end up labeled as “troublemakers.” This is all due in large part to their rocky pasts under the leadership of Hamas.
“They always seek to have power and to coordinate with whoever is in authority,” he noted, highlighting the complicated dynamics at play within Gaza’s socio-political landscape. Alijla further elaborated on Hamas’s current organizational state: “They’re not established, but they are organised,” suggesting that while Hamas may face internal challenges, it is poised to exert its influence rapidly.
