Gaza, 15 October 2025 - Al Mezan Center for Human Rights strongly condemns the public execution of eight Palestinians in Gaza and expresses deep concern over the use of extrajudicial killings against Palestinians, especially in light of last week's ceasefire agreement. According to video clips circulated on social media and independently verified by Al Mezan, an unknown group of armed men opened fire on Monday evening, 13 October 2025, on eight blindfolded and bound Palestinians who were seated on the ground amidst a crowd of onlookers and executed them from behind. These executions were done publicly in front of the victims' families and other members of their community.

Data collected by Al Mezan's field unit indicates that a group of armed individuals, who do not have public authority and were acting as vigilantes, clashed with armed members of a local family in the Al-Sabra and Tal al-Hawa neighborhoods in southern Gaza City under the pretext of apprehending a group of suspects for various offences. This incident resulted in casualties among the family members and members of the Sahm Unit. The execution of eight Palestinians occurred after this incident, and in public view. Al Mezan's field unit have also recently documented several incidents across Gaza of homes being raided by unidentified armed men. No official statement has been issued by local authorities specifically condemning the clashes, the raids, or the extrajudicial killings. Prior to this incident, the Ministry of Interior in Gaza published a statement on Friday, 10 October 2025, affirming that the Ministry of Interior and National Security will take the necessary measures to restore order and security in Gaza following the new ceasefire agreement. Al Mezan's field unit have also recently documented several incidents across Gaza of homes being raided by unidentified armed men.

Al Mezan strongly condemns the extrajudicial execution of Palestinians, as well as its filming and dissemination on social media. Al Mezan underscores the urgent need for collective efforts to preserve social cohesion and prevent the deterioration of social cohesion in Gaza. Palestinians in Gaza are enduring extremely difficult and complex economic, social, and political conditions, stemming from two years of a continued genocide by Israel, the blocking of humanitarian aid essential to maintain survival, and the intentional starvation of Palestinians in Gaza to the point of famine. Al Mezan further reiterates that Israel's genocide continues amidst ongoing attempts by Israeli forces to sow instability and disorder in Gaza. Al Mezan warns that incidents such as the extrajudicial killing of Palestinians by unidentified armed men are the result of the chaotic conditions caused by Israel's genocide and man-made famine.

Al Mezan underscores that the legal authority responsible for performing arrests and conducting investigations is the Public Prosecution. The rule of law must be upheld by local authorities and Al Mezan urges them to ensure a consistent application of the law. The involvement of any individual or group in such actions is a violation of the law and opens the door wide to the spread of lawlessness and vigilantism, threatening the safety of Palestinians and the cohesion of Gaza's society. Accordingly, Al Mezan calls for an urgent investigation into the incident to uncover its circumstances, to publish the findings publicly, and to hold accountable all those responsible for violating the law.

In light of the underlying causes fueling societal unrest in Gaza, Al Mezan calls on the international community to pressure Israel into allowing the entry and distribution of desperately needed humanitarian aid by UN-led organizations, to alleviate the extreme pressure Palestinians in Gaza are enduring to survive.