Footage has surfaced showing three men executed publicly in Gaza City for allegedly collaborating with Israel. This event occurred on a street outside Shifa Hospital, an area currently under significant Israeli military offensive.
In recently shared videos, armed, masked men can be seen overseeing the executions. Before the men are shot, one of the armed figures declares, “The death sentence has been decided for all collaborators.” The crowd watches and cheers as the condemned are brutally executed. Hamas’s armed group, the Qassam Brigades, is praised in the aftermath.
A Hamas official stated that the executions were carried out by the “Joint Operations Room of the Palestinian resistance.” Public executions like this one are rare in Gaza but not unheard of. In May, four Palestinians were reportedly executed for looting aid trucks.
One man singled out during this public execution was Yasser Abu Shabab, identified as a “major collaborator.” He leads a clan in Rafah, allegedly supported by Israeli arms, presenting itself as an opposition to Hamas. Interestingly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel was assisting groups against Hamas, although Abu Shabab publicly denied receiving any weapons from Israel.
In July, a senior Hamas officer claimed that Hamas’s control over Gaza was waning as armed clans gained power. Reports indicate that these groups are now recruiting on social media.
As these tensions rise, Israeli troops continue their operations in Gaza City, claiming to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure and targeting specific cells. Their goals include freeing hostages taken by Hamas and combating an estimated 3,000 fighters in what they see as a key stronghold.
The ongoing offensive, aimed at Gaza’s largest urban area, has led to widespread international criticism. The UN has described the situation as “cataclysmic,” with hundreds of thousands still trapped in the city despite many fleeing south.
Since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths in Israel, the toll in Gaza has been staggering. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 65,000 people have died as a result of Israeli airstrikes since that date.
This grim reality highlights the ongoing cycle of violence and the complexities of the conflict, which continues to impact countless lives. No matter the perspective, the human toll of this conflict is both tragic and profound. For more detailed information, you can refer to credible sources such as the BBC.