Trump threatens to ‘violently’ disarm Hamas as group executes ‘collaborators’ in Gazapublished at 13:16 BST
13:16 BST
Merlyn Thomas, Matt Murphy, Benedict Garman and Shayan Sardarizadeh
BBC Verify
US President Donald Trump has threatened to “violently” disarm Hamas as the group attempts to reassert control over the Gaza Strip.
His comments came as footage circulated online showing a public execution and other displays of force by Hamas fighters who have been targeting gangs accused of collaborating with Israeli forces since the US-brokered ceasefire began last week.
A clip that emerged on Monday afternoon showed Hamas fighters, some of whom were wearing body armour and Hamas headbands, executing a group of eight men. BBC Verify geolocated the footage to a junction in the central Zeitoun neighbourhood in Gaza City.
The fighters could be seen lining the men up in front of a large crowd, which appeared to include at least one young child, and forcing the men to their knees. Members of the crowd could be heard shouting “collaborator” or “agent”.
The assembled fighters then opened fire on the bound men, who fell to the ground, before firing into the air and shouting “long live the al-Qassam Brigades”, referencing Hamas’ military wing.
The execution is just one of a number of videos BBC Verify has authenticated, showing that Hamas has started to reassert itself across the Gaza Strip and targeted rival armed groups.
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