BBC: Hamas calls up 7,000 fighters, appoints five military governors

A report published by the British broadcaster the BBC on Saturday evening said Hamas has mobilized about 7,000 members of its security forces to reassert control over areas in Gaza that were recently evacuated by the Israeli army, and has appointed five new governors, all from military backgrounds, some of whom previously commanded brigades in its armed wing to oversee operations.

Sources said the mobilization order was issued via phone calls and text messages that read: “We announce a general mobilization in response to the call of national and religious duty, to cleanse Gaza of lawbreakers and collaborators with Israel. You must report within 24 hours to your designated positions using the official codes.”

According to reports from Gaza, armed Hamas units have deployed in several neighborhoods, with some members wearing civilian clothes while others wear the blue Gaza police uniform.

The call-up comes amid uncertainty over who will rule Gaza after the war ends, a major issue that could affect the second phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan, which includes disarming Hamas.

Separately, a Hamas official abroad told the BBC the movement will not leave Gaza as easy prey for militias or collaborators with the Israeli occupation, stressing that Hamas’s weapons are legitimate and will remain so as long as the occupation continues.

By contrast, a retired Palestinian officer who served for years with the Palestinian Authority in Gaza voiced concerns that the Strip could see a new round of internal violence, saying that “Hamas still sees weapons and violence as the only means for the survival of its movement.”

These moves come after the ceasefire and have heightened concerns among Gaza residents, who have been exhausted by the prolonged conflict and its widespread destruction and human losses.