Hamas kills 32 members of Gaza ‘gang’ in post-ceasefire crackdown – Official

Hamas security forces have killed 32 members of an alleged “gang” in Gaza City during an internal operation launched shortly after the new ceasefire with Israel took effect on Friday, a Palestinian official told reporters.

According to the official, the Hamas-led campaign targeted members of a “dangerous gang affiliated with a family in Gaza City.” The operation also resulted in the arrest of 24 people and left 30 others wounded, while six Hamas personnel were killed in the clashes.

Since the ceasefire began, the Hamas-run Interior Ministry has deployed security units throughout the Strip, saying the move was intended to prevent a power vacuum that could lead to lawlessness and looting in the aftermath of the two-year war with Israel.

While US President Donald Trump has called for Hamas to disarm as part of a broader plan to end the conflict, he indicated that the group was granted temporary approval to maintain internal security.

“They wanted to stop the problems, and we gave them approval for a period of time,” Trump said.

Recall that earlier today, Hamas released 20 living Israeli hostages as part of the ongoing US-brokered ceasefire agreement.

The Palestinian official declined to identify the group involved in the Gaza City clashes but noted that several powerful clans in the enclave have long been at odds with Hamas and have become increasingly vocal during the war.

The official also clarified that the targeted “gang” was not linked to Yasser Abu Shabab, the prominent anti-Hamas rebel based in Rafah, southern Gaza, an area currently controlled by Israel.

Hamas has accused Abu Shabab and his followers of collaborating with Israel, a charge he denies, insisting he has no contact with Israeli forces.

The Hamas official added that a senior aide to Abu Shabab was “liquidated” during the recent campaign and that efforts to capture Abu Shabab himself were ongoing.

“The security campaign is continuing and escalating until this issue is completely over,” the official said. “No party will be allowed to violate the law.”