Hamas Asserts Dominance in Gaza with Public Executions Amidst Rival Clashes

Strategic Insights -

Palestinian militant group Hamas, seeking to reassert its authority in Gaza, has resorted to public executions of Palestinian rivals, highlighting its attempts to maintain control in the territory after two years of war with Israel. The executions, which were captured on video, took place just days after a cease-fire with Israel began, with Hamas internal security officials confirming the authenticity of the footage.

Key Takeaways:

  • 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 Hamas internal security officials.
  • The executed men, at least eight in total, included members of the Doghmosh family, which has a long-running rivalry with Hamas.
  • Hamas officials claim the killings were in retaliation for the family's killing of several Hamas militants during the war.
  • The organization has warned rival groups that it will come after any "criminal gangs" that threaten "civil peace," offering amnesty to those who surrender and warning of consequences for those who do not.
  • Military analysts say a major target for the Hamas crackdown will likely be small Palestinian militias that have sprung up in Gaza over the past months, many of which have worked in coordination with Israel.
  • Hamas's assertion of dominance in Gaza is complicated by the presence of these smaller militias and the group's weakened state after two years of war with Israel.
  • Israeli officials have confirmed helping to arm one militia operated by Yasser Abu Shabab, who was notorious for ransacking humanitarian aid and later set up a militia in an Israeli-controlled zone inside Gaza.

Statistics:

  • At least 24 bodies arrived at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City from the Hamas-Doghmosh clashes on Sunday night.
  • The video captures Hamas fighters executing at least eight men, with masked and blindfolded bodies strewn on the ground.
  • Some of the executed individuals were members of the Doghmosh family, who have a long-standing rivalry with Hamas.

Sources:

  • The New York Times, "Hamas Executes Palestinian Rivals as It Tries to Assert Its Authority in Gaza"
  • Palestinian Authority, "Hamas Warns Rival Groups to Hand Over Members Who Did Not Participate in Killings"
  • Reuters, "Hamas Firing on Palestinian Civilians in Gaza: US military Says"
  • The Times of Israel, "Hamas, Israel Agree to Cease-Fire in Gaza After Two Days of Fighting"