Hamas defends recent Palestinian executions despite Trump warning

A Hamas official on Friday defended the terrorist organization's recent killings of Palestinians in Gaza, despite President Donald Trump's warning to Hamas on Thursday to stop the executions.

Hamas released all living Israeli hostages on Monday as part of Trump's 20-point peace plan that was reached earlier this month, and Israel withdrew some of its forces from Gaza as part of its end of the deal. 

Palestinians have warned Fox News and Reuters that the executions have not ceased so far, with at least 33 people killed in recent days, and Hamas said it could not commit to disarming itself amid the ceasefire.

Hamas politburo member Mohammed Nazzal told Reuters that the executions were necessary and part of "exceptional measures" because it was on "criminals" who were guilty of killing others. However, sources told Fox News that some of the people killed by Hamas were children.

Nazzal also claimed that it was necessary that Hamas has a presence on the ground in Gaza because they were protecting trucks full of humanitarian aid from gangs and thieves.

"This is a transitional phase," Nazzal said. "Civilly, there will be a technocratic administration as I said. On the ground, Hamas will be present." 

The official added that Hamas is hoping for the ceasefire to last at least three to five years in order to rebuild Gaza.

Israel blasted Hamas for its actions since the exchange of hostages for prisoners earlier in the week. 

“Hamas is supposed to release all hostages in stage 1. It has not. Hamas knows where the bodies of our hostages are. Hamas are to be disarmed under this agreement. No ifs, no buts. They have not. Hamas needs to adhere to the 20-point plan. They are running out of time,” said a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.