Hamas Executes Dozens in Gaza Amid Power Struggle with Rival Clans

Hours after the release of the final Israeli hostages under a US-brokered ceasefire, Hamas gunmen executed more than 30 Palestinians accused of treason and collaboration, in what security sources and witnesses described as a brutal bid to reassert control over the war-torn Gaza Strip. The wave of executions comes as Hamas, weakened by months of Israeli military strikes, cautiously redeploys members of its Qassam Brigades into Gaza’s streets and faces growing internal challenges from long-standing rivals, many of them affiliated with powerful local clans.

According to various reports and videos, at least 33 people were shot dead across several neighborhoods after being accused of spying for Israel or belonging to rival armed groups. Videos shared on social media showed masked fighters forcing men to kneel before executing them at close range, as crowds gathered, chanting “Allahu Akbar.” Reuters and other outlets were unable to independently verify the footage or its location.

The executions took place just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump, en route from Jerusalem to Sharm el-Sheikh for ceasefire talks, said he had authorized Hamas to “manage internal security in Gaza as it sees fit” under the current agreement.

As the Gaza war has dragged on, a diminished Hamas has faced growing internal challenges to its control of Gaza. Since the ceasefire took hold on Friday, Hamas has sought to reassert itself, killing dozens of opponents in a crackdown after appearing to get a U.S. nod to temporarily police the shattered enclave .

References

i24NEWS. (2025, October 14). Hamas executes dozens of Gazans accused of 'treason'. i24NEWS.

Reuters. (2025, October 14). Clans and armed groups challenging Hamas in Gaza. Reuters.

Photo: Gemini AI