Forces deployed; Trump: "We gave them the green light"; Deaths already reported

“We gave them authorization for a limited period,” Trump added aboard Air Force One while en route to Israel, where all the living hostages freed by Hamas had arrived.

The Palestinian militant group, which according to Trump’s proposal to end the war must disarm and cease governing Gaza, has deployed internal security forces in parts of the coastal enclave since the ceasefire came into effect on Friday.

They stated that their aim is to stop lawlessness and looting, as well as to prevent a security vacuum.

“They want to stop the problems”

Asked by reporters during the flight to Israel about reports that Hamas is acting as a police force and shooting at rivals, Trump responded, “They want to stop the problems and have been open to it. And we gave them authorization for a limited period,” added the U.S. president.

“You have roughly two million people returning to destroyed buildings, so a lot of bad things could happen. That’s why we want it to be safe. I think it will be fine. Who knows,” Trump said.

Gaza in ruins

Most of Gaza was destroyed during the war that broke out following Hamas’s attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Hamas security forces have been clashing with clan members in Gaza City over the past two days.

On Sunday, the Hamas Ministry of Interior issued a statement offering amnesty to individuals who allegedly joined criminal gangs responsible for stealing humanitarian aid and looting, provided they were not involved in bloodshed.

Already 32 killed

Unnamed Palestinian sources confirmed that Hamas members have killed 32 alleged members of a criminal group in Gaza City during a security operation launched after the ceasefire came into effect.

During these operations targeting members of a “dangerous gang linked to a single family in Gaza City,” six Hamas members were also killed, Reuters reported.

“During the operation, 24 people were arrested and 30 were injured,” said an unnamed Palestinian official.

Although U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded that Hamas disarm, he indicated that members of the militant group have the green light to conduct internal security operations aimed at “preventing further problems.”