Hamas Asserts Dominance in Gaza with Public Executions of Rivals

Strategic Insights -

Hamas, a militant group in control of the Gaza Strip, is attempting to reassert its dominance in the territory after two years of war with Israel. The group has been carrying out public executions of Palestinian rivals in an effort to demonstrate its control, despite being weakened by the conflict. According to a video captured on Monday, Hamas fighters lined up eight captives in a crowded street in Gaza City and opened fire, killing them. The execution was confirmed by a Hamas internal security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hamas is trying to assert its dominance in Gaza despite being weakened by the conflict with Israel, which resulted in the loss of many top commanders and thousands of fighters.
  • Hamas's iron-fisted rule has been challenged by Gaza residents, who launched rare protests against the group earlier this year.
  • At least 10 members of Hamas's security forces and 20 members of rival Palestinian groups have been killed in internecine fighting since Monday, according to a Gaza health official and the Hamas internal security official.
  • The eight men executed in the video were members of the Doghmosh family, which has a long-running rivalry with Hamas.
  • Hamas officials have publically acknowledged that they are launching operations against people they deem to be lawbreakers or collaborators with Israel.
  • The clashes between Hamas and the Doghmosh family began on Sunday, after Hamas sought to apprehend members of the family it accused of being collaborators with Israel.
  • At least 24 bodies arrived at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City from the Hamas-Doghmosh clashes on Sunday night, said the medical facility's director.
  • Hamas's interior ministry has warned rival groups that it will come after any "criminal gangs" that threaten "civil peace" and has offered amnesty to members of those groups who hand themselves over.
  • Military analysts have identified a major target for Hamas's crackdown as being the string of small Palestinian militias that have sprung up in Gaza over the past several months.
  • Some of these smaller militias have worked in coordination with Israel, with Israeli officials confirming that they have been helping to arm some of the militias.

Statistics:

  • At least 10 members of Hamas's security forces have been killed in internecine fighting since Monday.
  • At least 20 members of rival Palestinian groups have been killed in internecine fighting since Monday, according to a Gaza health official.
  • 8 men were executed by Hamas in the video captured on Monday.
  • 24 bodies arrived at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City from the Hamas-Doghmosh clashes on Sunday night.
  • Over the past several months, a string of small Palestinian militias has sprung up in Gaza.
  • Israel has confirmed that they have been helping to arm some of these militias.

Sources:

  • "Hamas Is Executing Rivals in Gaza, a Video Shows" by The New York Times
  • "Israel Has Been Helping to Arm Palestinian Militias in Gaza" by The New York Times
  • "Hamas Launches Crackdown on Rival Groups in Gaza" by The New York Times
  • "Gaza: A History of Conflict" by Palestinian Witness