Palestinian Analyst Slams Hamas Executions as 'ISIS-Style' Tactics in Gaza

A prominent Palestinian official has issued a fierce rebuke against Hamas, accusing the terrorist group of resorting to brutal, extrajudicial killings in Gaza that echo the barbarism of ISIS. Mohammad al-Masri, Director of the Palestinian Center for Strategic Studies, described these acts as "a serious crime that damages national and moral values and stains the Palestinian struggle in the eyes of the international community." Speaking on the Palestinian Authority's Voice of Palestine radio station, al-Masri highlighted a pattern of violence targeting Arab families, including the Doghmush, al-Majaida, and al-Masri clans, aimed at crushing dissent and enforcing control through terror.

Al-Masri portrayed the executions as street-side spectacles without trials or due process, a deliberate strategy to "forcibly impose its rule on the residents and instill fear that prevents them from expressing their opinions freely." He drew a stark parallel to the infamous methods of ISIS, stating, "This is an act reminiscent of ISIS, where there is no judicial process or defense for the victims." These killings, he argued, not only violate Palestinian law but also erode the moral fabric of the national cause, making it harder for Palestinians to garner global sympathy amid the ongoing war with Israel. The analyst pointed to a recent boast by a senior Hamas figure, who admitted the group has been weakened yet vowed not to yield power, as evidence of a "mentality of domination rather than a spirit of national partnership." Such rhetoric, al-Masri contended, signals that Gaza operates without democratic governance, further tarnishing the Palestinian cause's international image.

This condemnation comes at a precarious moment for Gaza, where Hamas's grip on power has faced mounting challenges since the escalation of war in October 2023. The terrorist organization's tactics have drawn widespread criticism, including from within Palestinian circles, as reports of internal purges and summary executions surface amid economic collapse and humanitarian crisis. Families accused of collaboration with Israel or rival factions have borne the brunt, with witnesses describing public hangings and shootings in broad daylight to send a chilling message. Al-Masri's remarks underscore deepening rifts between the Hamas-controlled enclave and the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, which views the group's authoritarian streak as a betrayal of shared goals. The PA has long accused Hamas of hijacking Palestinian aspirations for its Islamist agenda, a divide exacerbated by failed reconciliation attempts and Hamas's refusal to integrate into a unified government.

Beyond the moral outrage, al-Masri warned that these actions risk alienating allies and complicating peace efforts. International observers, including human rights groups, have documented over a dozen such executions in recent months, often linked to suspected espionage or opposition to Hamas's war strategy. In a region scarred by proxy wars and sectarian strife, comparisons to ISIS carry heavy weight, evoking memories of the caliphate's reign of terror in Iraq and Syria from 2014 to 2019. For Palestinians, this internal brutality contrasts sharply with the external fight against Israeli occupation, potentially fracturing unity at a time when coordinated resistance could bolster diplomatic leverage. Al-Masri called for accountability, urging Palestinian institutions to reclaim authority and prioritize justice over vengeance.