Showing Off, Hamas Deploys Long-barreled Armed Fighters In Hostage Release

Israel's Chief of General Staff and US envoys are in Gaza following up on the deal to release hostages by Hamas/DOK IDF

JAKARTA - Hamas deployed troops in Gaza on Monday, when the release of hostages who were seized in the October 7 attack was underway.

This seems to be a show of force by a militant group that President Donald Trump says should be stripped of his weapons.

Reuters footage shows dozens of Hamas fighters marching in hospitals in southern Gaza, and an armed man wearing the symbol of the armed wing of Hamas, Brigade Qassam. The badge on his shoulder shows him as a member of the elite "Shadow Unit", which Hamas sources say is tasked with guarding the hostages.

Israel has been attacking Hamas for its two offensive years in Gaza, killing thousands of its fighters and many of its leaders in attacks that turned much of the Palestinian territories into deserts.

The Israeli military said it had received seven of the 20 surviving hostages after they were transferred from Gaza by the Red Cross.

A total of 13 hostages who are still alive, along with the bodies of 26 dead hostages and two others whose fate is not yet known, are also expected to be released on Monday, October 13, along with nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and inmates.

The release of the remaining hostages in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners is the first stage of Trump's plan to end the Gaza war. The ceasefire has been in place since Friday.

The next stage of negotiations must discuss demands for Hamas to strip off arms and end its power in Gaza, the territory it has controlled since expelling Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in 2007.