As Israeli forces pull back under a fragile truce, Hamas is tightening its grip on Gaza through brutal public executions — a chilling demonstration of control and defiance. The group’s violent crackdown comes just as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies his call for Hamas to “lay down its arms,” warning that the United States “will disarm them” if they refuse.

In shocking footage that spread rapidly across social media, eight blindfolded and badly beaten men are seen kneeling in a Gaza street before being shot dead by masked Hamas gunmen. The executions reportedly took place Monday evening in Gaza City.

Hamas claimed the men were “collaborators and outlaws,” accusing them of working with Israel and exploiting chaos during recent months of conflict. No evidence was presented to support these claims.

The street killings — witnessed by onlookers chanting “Allahu Akbar” — mark the group’s most public display of violence since the ceasefire took effect. The executions are widely viewed as both a warning to local factions and an assertion of power following the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) withdrawal from key areas of Gaza.

Following months of warfare and Israeli incursions, a power vacuum has emerged in Gaza. Armed family-based groups, known as “clans,” along with criminal gangs, have filled the void in many areas where Hamas’s formal authority weakened.

These factions — some allegedly backed by Israel or other external actors — have been accused of looting humanitarian aid, extorting civilians, and sowing chaos amid the humanitarian crisis. With public order eroding, Hamas has launched what it calls a “security restoration campaign” aimed at reestablishing its monopoly on force.

Armed Hamas police, dressed in black masks and carrying rifles, have returned to Gaza’s streets, particularly in the north. Their operations have involved deadly clashes with clan militias and the execution of men accused of aiding the enemy or engaging in lawlessness.

Supporters say Hamas is restoring security and punishing those who profited from Gaza’s suffering. Critics argue the crackdown is a ruthless attempt to crush dissent, silence opposition, and maintain an iron grip over a population already exhausted by war.

President Donald Trump has made it clear that disarming Hamas is now a non-negotiable condition of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump acknowledged reports of Hamas’s executions but said he was more concerned about ensuring the group’s total demilitarization.

“They will disarm,” Trump declared. “And if they don’t do so, we will disarm them — and it will happen quickly and perhaps violently.”

While Trump did not specify a timeline or method, his administration is reportedly exploring both diplomatic and military options to ensure compliance. The ultimatum follows Trump’s broader Gaza peace plan, which envisions Hamas surrendering its weapons and transferring administrative control to an internationally supervised Palestinian authority.

Hamas has responded cautiously, saying it is open to discussions on a political transition but will not disarm while Israeli forces remain near Gaza’s borders. The group insists that maintaining internal order is essential to prevent further chaos during any power transfer.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas — hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough just weeks ago — is now under renewed strain. Analysts warn that Hamas’s harsh tactics could destabilize the truce and reignite violence.

While many Gazans welcome the return of some semblance of order, the brutal nature of Hamas’s response risks alienating ordinary citizens and fracturing the fragile calm. Families of the executed men have reportedly condemned the killings, calling them unlawful and politically motivated.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to insist that the war will not truly end until Hamas is completely dismantled. The Israeli government has also warned that any signs of Hamas rearmament or internal militarization could trigger new military operations.

Human rights organizations are monitoring the situation closely, citing growing evidence of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and public intimidation campaigns inside Gaza.

The return of Hamas to full control over Gaza’s streets marks a significant turning point in the post-war landscape. The movement’s crackdown on clans and gangs underscores its determination to remain the dominant force — even under intense international pressure.

Yet the group faces mounting challenges: the threat of renewed Israeli intervention, Trump’s ultimatum, and rising discontent among Gazans weary of both war and repression.

Observers say the next few weeks will be critical. If Hamas continues to rely on violent enforcement, it may provoke new internal resistance. If it chooses negotiation and gradual reform, the ceasefire — and Gaza’s path toward stability — may survive.

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