We turn again to the deepening crisis in Gaza, where Hamas has reportedly carried out executions of alleged looters amid growing chaos and desperation under Israel’s blockade.
Sources close to Hamas say the group executed several individuals this week, accusing them of looting food stores and community kitchens as the territory faces critical shortages. Hamas officials claim some of the looters were working with Israel, though Israel has not responded to those accusations.
In one incident, Hamas’ interior ministry said an Israeli drone strike targeted a police unit pursuing suspected criminals in Gaza City, killing one officer and wounding others. In a statement, the ministry vowed to crack down hard, warning, ‘We will strike with an iron fist… we will not allow them to terrorize citizens, threaten lives, and steal property.’
Ismail Al-Thawabta, head of Gaza’s Hamas-run media office, said the looting involved organized gangs, some allegedly supported by Israel, and clan-based groups. He confirmed that Hamas had carried out what he called ‘revolutionary executions’ against several top suspects found guilty of looting.
Palestinian media report that Hamas’ armed wing has imposed nightly curfews starting at 9 p.m. to restrict movement and hunt down criminal groups. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis worsens as Israel maintains a tight blockade, cutting off aid for nearly two months. The United Nations warns that food, medicine, and clean water are running critically low, as Gaza’s population of 2.2 million struggles to survive amid bombardment and shortages.
Israel defends the blockade, accusing Hamas of diverting aid to its fighters—an allegation Hamas denies. But growing unrest on the ground shows the toll of the blockade not only on civilians but also on Hamas’ grip on the territory. Protests have reportedly broken out in Gaza over the lack of food and aid.
Ahmed, a resident of Gaza City, told SNEWS TV via messaging app, ‘Armed gangs are robbing people, taking their money and phones on the streets. They’re helping the occupation starve us. They should be treated as collaborators.’
Hamas has responded by creating a new 5,000-member force to confront looters and criminal groups. But their efforts have been hampered by Israeli drone attacks targeting armed Palestinians. The militant group had previously deployed thousands of police after a brief ceasefire in January, but their presence has been significantly reduced since Israel resumed large-scale operations in March.
At least 40 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The war, now in its 19th month, began after Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, more than 52,500 Palestinians have been reported killed.
As conditions deteriorate, international aid groups warn that Gaza faces not only a humanitarian disaster but rising lawlessness and fear among its besieged population.
We’ll continue to follow this developing story.
Reporting by Carl Montel
