Hamas has recalled about 7,000 members of its security forces to reassert control over areas of Gaza recently vacated by Israeli troops, according to local sources.
The Palestinian group also appointed five new governors all with military backgrounds, some of whom previously commanded brigades in its armed wing.
The mobilisation order was reportedly issued via phone calls and text messages which said the aim was to "cleanse Gaza of outlaws and collaborators with Israel" and told fighters to report within 24 hours.
Reports from Gaza suggest armed Hamas units have already deployed across several districts, some wearing civilian clothes and others in the blue uniforms of the Gaza police. The Hamas media office denied it was deploying "fighters in the streets".
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The Hamas mobilisation had been widely anticipated amid growing uncertainty about who will govern Gaza once the war ends.
This is a key issue that could complicate the start of the second phase of US President Donald Trump's peace plan, which calls for Hamas to disarm.
A Hamas official abroad declined to comment directly on reports of the security deployment, but told the BBC: "We cannot leave Gaza at the mercy of thieves and militias backed by the Israeli occupation. Our weapons are legitimate... to resist occupation, and they will remain as long as the occupation continues."
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"Hamas hasn't changed. It still believes that weapons and violence are the only means to keep its movement alive," he told the BBC.
"Gaza is flooded with arms. Looters have stolen thousands of weapons and rounds of ammunition from Hamas stores during the war, and some groups have even received supplies from Israel.
"This is a perfect recipe for civil war: weapons, frustration, chaos, and a movement desperate to reassert control over a shattered and exhausted population."
Khalil Abu Shammala, a human rights expert who lives in Gaza, said it remained to be seen whether Hamas would accept handing over control on the ground or seek to obstruct the plan's implementation.
"There is undoubtedly widespread fear among many Gazans of potential internal fighting, given the many conditions that could fuel it," he said.
He said Hamas had been forced to accept the peace plan by the severe pressure it was under.
"I believe its continued attempts to maintain influence by any means, including involvement in security affairs, could ultimately jeopardise the agreement and plunge Gaza's residents into even greater suffering," he said.
These developments since the ceasefire earlier this week have sparked deep concern among Gazans already worn down by two years of a devastating conflict.
Overall, this is a terrible situation the Palestinians are in. Hamas wants to continue to govern and suppress the population.
Obviously Israel should not be a part of any operations that helps to free the Palestinians from Hamas, but someone in the international community needs to do something.
Hamas needs to go.
The people in Gaza have no chance for a future as long as Hamas is there.
As of now, two years to the day (in the Jewish calendar) following the October 7 massacre, there are no living hostages in Hamas captivity. The remaining 20 living Israelis are finally back home.
Hostages Square in Tel-Aviv has been renamed Freed Square.
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The Palestinians are returning home, too. I guess everything is back to normal.
This is why I believe the Palestinian people need help. I am not just talking about the aid they need immediately, I am talking about long term.
I really doubt this conflict will actually end until Hamas is not in power in Gaza. Now is the time to be protesting for the people in Gaza. Free Palestine from Hamas.
We do care, it's just that everyone figured out a hundred pages ago that "Israel must defeat Hamas once and for all" actually meant "Israel will kill a crap ton of innocent civilians and destroy their homes and businesses and Hamas will be just fine".
This was never the path to long term peace.
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