Hamas Executes Suspects in Gaza as Trump Vows to Disarm Group

Gaza City / Washington DC — Hamas tightened its control over war-torn Gaza on Tuesday, launching a sweeping crackdown and executing alleged collaborators, even as US President Donald Trump vowed to forcibly disarm the militant group.

The Israeli military confirmed that the remains of four additional hostages held in Gaza had been recovered, a day after Hamas returned the bodies of four others and released the final 20 surviving captives under a US-brokered truce.

Hamas published a video on its official channel showing the street execution of eight blindfolded detainees, branding them “collaborators and outlaws.” The footage, believed to have been filmed Monday evening, surfaced as armed clashes erupted between Hamas security units and local Palestinian clans in several parts of the territory.

Clampdown Amid Fragile Truce

In northern Gaza, black-masked Hamas police resumed patrols following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza City. Fighters from the group’s Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades were also seen maintaining order as freed Palestinian prisoners returned from Israel.

A newly established Hamas unit — known locally as the “Deterrence Force” — has been conducting field operations against armed gangs, some alleged to have ties to Israel.

“Intense clashes broke out — and are still ongoing — as part of efforts to eliminate collaborators,” said a resident identified only as Yahya, citing fear of retaliation.

Another witness, Mohammed, told AFP there were “heavy clashes between Hamas security forces and members of the Hilles family” in Gaza City’s Shujaiya district. “We heard gunfire and explosions, and the security forces arrested some of them. We support this,” he said.

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A Hamas security source said the goal was to “ensure security and stability” in the enclave.

“Our message is clear: There will be no place for outlaws or those who threaten the security of citizens,” he added.

Trump: ‘If They Don’t Disarm, We Will’

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump reiterated his administration’s plan to disarm Hamas, warning that the United States would act if the group resisted.

“If they don’t disarm, we will disarm them,” Trump told reporters at the White House after returning from a visit to the Middle East. “And it will happen quickly and perhaps violently.”

Trump’s 20-point peace plan, endorsed by world powers at a summit in Egypt, calls for Gaza’s full demilitarisation and bars Hamas from holding any leadership role. The plan also offers amnesty to Hamas members who agree to “decommission their weapons.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the move, telling CBS News:

“First, Hamas has to give up its arms. Second, you want to make sure there are no weapons factories inside Gaza, and no smuggling of weapons into Gaza. That’s demilitarisation.”

Life Returns, Grief Remains

As the fighting subsided, some Gazans expressed relief at the return of order.

“After the war ended and the police spread out in the streets, we started to feel safe,” said Abu Fadi Al-Banna, 34, in Deir al-Balah.

Hamdiya Shammiya, 40, who fled northern Gaza for Khan Yunis, said, “Thank God the war is finally over. We’ve started to breathe again.”

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In Israel, families of the deceased hostages demanded the return of all remaining bodies. The Israeli military identified two of the latest victims as Guy Iluz and Bipin Joshi, a Nepali agriculture student, while the Families Forum named the others as Yossi Sharabi and Daniel Peretz, an army officer.

“Now we can finally bring closure to the nightmare that began over two years ago,” said Nira Sharabi, Yossi’s wife. “He will have the dignified and loving burial he deserves.”

In Tel Aviv, crowds gathered to celebrate the hostages’ release and to urge continued efforts to retrieve the bodies of the dead.

“I didn’t think we’d see this day,” said demonstrator Barak Cohen. “But there are still great challenges ahead in bringing home those who didn’t survive.”

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