In a harrowing display of violence, seven masked men were forced to kneel in a Gaza street, meeting execution with gunfire from Hamas operatives while a crowd looked on, apparently enthralled. In another grisly scene, a man, bound and helpless, was subjected to brutal beatings, leaving onlookers disturbed by the grotesque spectacle. This stark reality represents Gaza today.
Just hours after the last Israeli hostages were released as part of a U.S.-negotiated ceasefire, Hamas executed over 30 Palestinians across various neighborhoods, branded as ‘spies’ or rivals. Graphic videos circulating online reveal masked gunmen coercing their victims to the ground before shooting them at point-blank range, with cheering crowds echoing the horrors.
Eyewitness accounts describe the appalling beatings that detainees endured before their execution, further amplified by Hamas-aligned factions’ defenses of these actions as a “security operation” targeting supposed collaborators and criminals. Palestinian human rights organizations labeled the execute as severe violations of basic human rights.
Hamas’s own internal security unit, Radaa, claimed these executions were warranted, branding the victims as “wanted individuals” for their alleged connections to Israel and other offenses. This declaration coincides with a wider campaign of repression across Gaza, aimed at consolidating Hamas’s authority and reasserting control over dissenting voices.
In a shocking turn of events, the influential Doghmush family accused Hamas of slaughtering at least 28 of its members, who had surrendered under assurances of safety, labeling the massacre as an unjust and criminal act. Despite widespread international condemnation, Hamas steadfastly retains its grip on power through pervasive violence and intimidation, perpetuating a reign of terror concealing their authority amidst Israeli military pressures.
Fighters from the Qassam Brigades have re-emerged as arbiters of order on the streets, actively policing vital routes. Reports indicate clashes between these forces and local clans, particularly the Doghmush network, as tensions continue to simmer amidst a backdrop of fear and brutality.
Local media and residents express a growing discord with Hamas, citing death and deprivation as fundamental factors eroding support within Gaza. Many Gazans, speaking off the record, articulate feelings of betrayal, pondering the devastation left in the wake of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. One resident from a central Gaza refugee camp described the territory as a “living hell,” attributing the suffering to Hamas’s leadership.
Frustration has culminated in anti-Hamas protests sweeping across Gaza, only to be met with violent crackdowns. Accounts detail demonstrators suffering severe repercussions, including public flogging and even execution. A poignant incident shared widely involved a 22-year-old man, Oday Nasser Al-Rabay, who was allegedly abducted and killed for partaking in protests against the group. In another altercation, armed Hamas gunmen fired upon an elderly individual for refusing to allow rocket launches from his home.
As Hamas attempts to re-establish dominance over Gaza’s streets, their operatives are actively hunting down suspected traitors, with reports of targeted attacks on individuals linked to anti-Hamas sentiments. While some local factions have grown silent or faced suppression, Hamas continues to solidify its control through tactics akin to a regime under siege, preying on its own populace.
The atmosphere of fear has many Gazans trembling at the prospect of an intensified era of coercion. Some acknowledge that, for the time being, Hamas remains the lone entity capable of managing essential services, yet others suggest that the price of this capability is a relentless grip on power, wielding violence against those they claim to safeguard.
The violent suppression of dissent occurs concurrently with claims that Hamas now possesses temporary authority to manage internal security under ceasefire agreements. However, the constant threat of Israeli drone strikes serves as a sobering reminder of the precariousness of this apparent peace. Palestinian Authority figures have denounced the executions as heinous crimes.
The broader implications remain shrouded in uncertainty. Hamas has yet to show willingness to disarm, leaving the future governance of Gaza in question. For now, they turn their hostilities inward, targeting the very people they claim to protect. The ceasefire commenced on October 10, 2025, encapsulating a fragile halt in hostilities.
Recent opinion polls reveal that Hamas’s approval rating within Gaza has fallen to 57% in 2025. This statistic epitomizes the complex landscape; ordinary Gazans, akin to those under ISIS or al-Qaeda’s domain, seek peace amid a cycle of violence. For many, the devastation inflicted by Hamas’s governance remains painfully evident.
Yet, an alarming reality surfaces: a 57% approval rating still signifies support from more than half of the Gazan populace. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged not to permit either Hamas or the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza post-conflict, but Hamas persists in its refusal to disarm. As the ceasefire evolves, questions surrounding Gaza’s future remain painfully unanswered.
