Trump backs Hamas crackdown on Israeli-linked gangs 

US President Donald Trump expressed support for Hamas security forces “taking out” Israeli-linked gangs accused of looting aid and killing civilians during the genocidal war on Gaza.

Last week, Gaza’s Ministry of Interior announced a campaign to “restore order and stability” across the Strip following the ceasefire on Friday.

The ministry said criminal gangs exploited the chaos of war to commit serious crimes, including attacks on citizens’ property and theft of humanitarian aid. 

Some of these gangs are reportedly backed by the Israeli military.

The gangs are also accused of killing civilians and members of Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezz el-Din al-Qassam Brigades.

The ministry offered a general amnesty for those who joined such gangs but did not participate in killings.

On Sunday, one gang shot and killed prominent Palestinian activist Saleh al-Jafarawi, whom Israeli officials had incited against during the war.

Ismail al-Thawabta, director of Gaza’s Government Media Office, told local media on Tuesday that 50 “gang hotspots” posing a direct threat to citizens had been dismantled since the ceasefire.

He added that 70 gang members had surrendered themselves and their weapons as part of the amnesty.

Trump and Palestinian support 

On Monday, Hamas-affiliated Telegram channels shared footage showing the execution of eight men in Gaza streets. 

The channels said the executions were carried out after “all legal and judicial procedures” against individuals convicted of collaborating with Israel or involved in security and criminal offences.

Palestinian factions issued a joint statement backing the Ministry of Interior’s security campaign.

“The security campaign in Gaza has full support and national consensus,” the statement read.

“We call on the public to cooperate with security forces and report wanted individuals or anyone harbouring them.”

'They took out a couple of gangs that were very bad... That didn’t bother me much'

- US President Donald Trump

The Higher Council of Palestinian Clans in Gaza, an umbrella group of prominent families, also endorsed the crackdown. 

Its head, Husni al-Mughni, said he “fully” supports Hamas, declaring the gangs “must pay the price today”.

However, the Palestinian Authority, Hamas’ rival, and the Ramallah-based Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) condemned the executions. 

Speaking to local reporters on Tuesday, Trump appeared to endorse Hamas’s actions.

“They took out a couple of gangs that were very bad… they killed a number of gang members,” he said. 

“That didn’t bother me much, to be honest. That’s okay. It’s a couple of very bad gangs. It’s no different than other countries," he added.

In June, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted Israel had armed gangs in Gaza to counter Hamas.

During the war, these gangs received aerial support from the Israeli military, making it difficult for Hamas to fight them.