Hamas is systematically suppressing clans and crime syndicates that threaten its rule in Gaza, including the al-Majayda clan, which announced its disarmament, and the Abu Warda and Bakr families, which have been suppressed. The Doghmush clan is currently being suppressed, and the Abu Samra family is next in line, according to unverified reports from October 14th. Hamas is also targeting drug dealers in southwestern Khan Younis and the Khalas militia in Shejaiya. These actions are part of Hamas's efforts to consolidate control, contrasting with groups like Abu Shabab, al-Astal, Khanidaks, or the al-Mansi militia, which are reportedly stationed behind the line of contact in Israeli-controlled areas and have not been seen engaging Hamas. Clans with independent interests, such as sustenance, profit, and weapons stockpiles, that did not cooperate with Israel or did so to a lesser degree, are reportedly keeping a low profile after Hamas's crackdown on other clans. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) described the process of responding to bodies in the Israeli-Hamas War as complex and potentially lengthy, as reported by Reuters. This comes as the IDF previously confirmed the identification of four deceased hostages, Guy Illouz and Bipin Joshi among them, with Illouz abducted alive and dying due to lack of medical treatment, and Joshi believed murdered in the early months of the war. The IDF has reiterated Hamas's obligation to return all hostages and bodies. Five Palestinians were reported killed by Israeli forces in Gaza City's Shuja'iyya neighborhood earlier on October 14th, according to Al Jazeera. The IDF also reported an incident where suspects approached IDF forces in northern Gaza, violating the ceasefire agreement, leading to a "threat removal" by the forces without penetration of defensive lines. The United Nations estimates the cost of Gaza reconstruction at $70 billion, with heavy equipment arriving at the Rafah crossing. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has discussed peace efforts with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, emphasizing President Trump's role in hostage releases and ending the war in Gaza.
