The Implications of Hamas's Public Executions and the World's Silence
by Khaled Abu Toameh • October 20, 2025 at 5:00 am
Hamas, in short, has decided to eliminate any Palestinian opposed to terrorism and supportive of coexistence with Israel.
Hamas's actions also demonstrate that the terror group is determined to exploit the current ceasefire to reassert its control over the Gaza Strip.
The silence, or apathy, of the international community, including so-called pro-Palestinian groups and individuals, towards Hamas's crimes only encourages the terror group to proceed with its crackdown on its own people. The silence of the world, in addition, sends a message to the Palestinians that they should refrain from rising against Hamas and other terror groups in the Gaza Strip.
We have not yet heard of a single Hamas terrorist talking about recognizing Israel's right to exist. In the eyes of Hamas leaders, the Trump peace plan is just another temporary ceasefire that should be used for rearming, regrouping, and preparing for massacring more Israelis.
In recent months, Hamas has been quoting a famous statement by its former leader, the late Ismail Haniyeh, to confirm that the terror group will never recognize Israel's right to exist: "We said it five years ago and we say it now... we will never, we will never recognize Israel."
No transitional government or "Board of Peace" will ever be able to enforce law and order as long as Hamas terrorists feel free to murder any Palestinian who wants peace and coexistence with Israel.
De-radicalization will happen only after Palestinians see that Hamas has been totally defeated, disarmed and removed from power.... Failure to eradicate Hamas will only pave the way for another October 7 massacre against Israel.
US President Donald Trump's plan for ending the Hamas-Israel war states that "Gaza will be a de-radicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors." His plan also stipulates that "Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough" and that "once all [Israeli] hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty."
Although Hamas has released the 20 living hostages and, since the announcement of Trump's plan in early October, has handed over the bodies of some of the fallen, the Gaza Strip remains anything but a "de-radicalized terror-free zone."
