Hamas Repression Campaign in Gaza, Trump Promises to Disarm Palestinian Movement
The Hamas has expanded its presence in the devastated Gaza Strip, conducting a repression campaign and executing alleged "collaborators" on Tuesday, while Donald Trump asserted that Washington would disarm the Palestinian movement if it did not do so itself.
The American president also urged Hamas to return the remains of deceased hostages in Gaza, a step he deems necessary to move to the next phase of his plan for the war-torn Palestinian territory.
On Tuesday evening, Hamas handed over four new remains to the Red Cross, according to the Israeli army, which received the coffins shortly after midnight on Wednesday (21:00 GMT Tuesday).
On Monday, it released the last 20 living hostages it had held since the attack that triggered the war on October 7, 2023, in exchange for nearly 2,000 prisoners released by Israel, and handed over four remains of hostages. In return, Israel transferred the remains of 45 Palestinians to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis (south).
Since the ceasefire took effect on Friday, AFP journalists have observed the security forces of the Palestinian Islamist movement deployed in several cities of the Gaza Strip.
This ceasefire was initiated by Mr. Trump, whose plan for Gaza includes, in a later phase, the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from governance in the Palestinian territory, where the movement has held power since 2007.
After the release of the hostages, we must achieve "the demilitarization and disarmament" of Hamas, emphasized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday on CBS. "Firstly, Hamas must lay down its arms, and secondly, we must ensure that there are no weapons factories in Gaza. There must be no arms trafficking into Gaza. That is demilitarization."
Mr. Trump stated on Tuesday that the United States would "disarm" Hamas if it did not do so itself. "This will happen quickly, and perhaps violently," he further stated before the press at the White House.
- "Collaborators" -
After several days of skirmishes, witnesses reported on Tuesday to AFP "intense" fighting in Gaza City, in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood (east), pitting a Hamas-affiliated unit against armed clans and gangs, some of which are reportedly supported by Israel.
"This morning, for many hours, violent clashes took place between Hamas security forces and members of the Hilles family," testified a local resident, Mohammed, who declined to give his last name for security reasons.
The "Deterrent Force," a recently established body within Hamas's security apparatus, "is conducting an operation" to "neutralize wanted individuals," a Palestinian security source in Gaza told AFP.
"Our message is clear: there will be no place for outlaws or those who threaten the security of citizens."
Hamas released a video showcasing what it claims is the execution of eight men identified as "collaborators" with Israel in the streets of Gaza City. AFP is currently unable to verify the authenticity, date of filming, or location of the video.
On the Telegram channel of Al-Aqsa TV, the video is accompanied by the caption: "The resistance executes the death penalty against a number of collaborators and outlaws in the city of Gaza."
The Gaza Civil Defense announced on Tuesday the death of six people from Israeli gunfire. The Israeli army stated it opened fire on "suspects" approaching its forces.
Trump's plan notably includes the gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army, which maintains control over 53% of Palestinian territory, as well as an "amnesty" for "Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence and surrender their weapons." For others, the plan calls for exile.
On Monday, during a summit on Gaza in Egypt, Mr. Trump co-signed a declaration aimed at cementing the ceasefire following the exchange of hostages and detainees between Israel and Hamas as agreed in the plan negotiated under the auspices of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar.
- "Fear Almost Gone" -
"Trump's words are important. We hope he will implement them on the ground, as he is the only one who can prevent the war from resuming," comments Rima al-Fara, 30, who lives in the partially destroyed al-Rimal neighborhood in western Gaza.
"We can breathe again... the fear is almost gone," she adds.
She expressed relief after the deployment of police, as "during the war, unpleasant phenomena such as thefts, burglaries, and armed intimidation occurred."
In Geneva, the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross called for the opening of all crossings to facilitate the delivery of more humanitarian aid to the ravaged territory.
In Gaza City, where bulldozers were clearing rubble on Tuesday, "the top priority" according to Mayor Yahya al-Sarraj is "to open the roads and the urgent need for construction materials, especially cement."