Hamas’s “Arrow” unit (“Wahdat Sahm”) pledged to carry out on-site executions against three Gazans accused of collaborating with Israel by “slitting their throats.” In a statement circulating online, the unit added that images of the executions and their confessions “will be broadcast to the public in audio and video,” also claiming that “the limbs of 13 thieves and people who incite chaos and anarchy will be amputated and their legs will be shot."
Despite the fact that a similarly named unit operated in Gaza several years ago, the current “Arrow” unit appears to have been established by Hamas during the war last year. The unit describes itself as having been established by Hamas’s Ministry of Interior “to pursue and execute thieves, merchants, agents, and highwaymen.” According to Al-Mashhad channel, the unit is made up of policemen, members of Palestinian terror groups and others, and its members patrol the Gaza Strip in civilian clothing, rather than military or police attire.
They are also known for publishing graphic videos of public lynching and shooting those accused of theft or treason, as a means to stir fear in the hearts of Gazans.
Hamas deploys aggressive force in Gaza
The unit has been deployed in the past couple of days in a reinforced manner, plausibly on the backdrop of a series of criminal acts including armed looting, theft and burglary, directed against ordinary citizens, aid convoys and warehouses. The deployment of the aggressive force may signal a fear of social collapse from the part of Hamas, which the terrorist organization is looking to overcome.
Only yesterday the unit announced a daily curfew in Gaza starting at 21:00 pm, explaining that movement would be prohibited after the set time except in cases of extreme necessity, in order to “allow our deterrent units to pursue and hold mercenaries accountable.” The group, which has been acting as Hamas’s arm in the catching of what they deem “merchants, thieves and gangs” added that the decision would remain in effect “until further notice,” threatening to “treat anyone who moves without justification as a traitorous thief who assists the occupation.”
A Hamas affiliated force in Gaza announced a daily curfew starting at 21:00, warning that anyone caught outside will be treated as a "collaborator."Hamas's "Arrow" unit threatened to execute and amputate Gazans for "treason" and "theft," pledging to publish the footage soon. pic.twitter.com/UTGe56YAnQ
— Ohad ✡️ اوهاد ✡️ אהד (@MOhadIsrael) May 4, 2025
In Gaza, views toward the unit are split between ardent Hamas supporters who see them as an indispensable arm of the terrorist organization and praise them for disposing of collaborators and protecting goods from being stolen; and those who accuse them of illicit bullying, harassing and executing civilians - and even of stealing aid for themselves. Some have even blamed the unit for targeting specific clans, most plausibly those which are known to be less loyal to Hamas.
One such blogger reacted to the imposed curfew, commenting: “A statement was issued asking people not to move after 9 pm and until further notice so that they can deal with the matter as they wish. That means, ‘do not go out, O our people, so that we can steal and plunder as we please under the pretext of pursuing thieves.’