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Al Jazeera

Tensions Rise in Gaza as Clashes Between Hamas and Armed Groups Escalate

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Clashes between an armed clan and Hamas security forces in Gaza City's Sabra neighbourhood on Sunday resulted in the deaths of at least 27 people, including eight members of Hamas, and 28-year-old Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi, who was covering the clashes. The Doghmush clan, involved in the fighting, has members in various factions across the political spectrum in Gaza. There are conflicting reports about the clan's affiliation with Israel, with some sources denying any affiliation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The clashes started on Saturday when "an outlaw gang killed resistance fighters from the Qassam Brigades" near the Jordan Field Hospital in Gaza City, according to the Sahem unit affiliated with the Interior Ministry.
  • Witnesses told the BBC that 300 Hamas fighters stormed a residential block where Doghmush gunmen were holed up, and a Palestinian security source said Hamas launched a campaign in Gaza City that killed 32 members of "a gang".
  • Eight Hamas members and 19 clan members were killed, with Aljafarawi also being killed in the crossfire. There was an outpouring of grief over his killing, with a video of him greeting his colleague Anas al-Sharif circulating on social media.
  • Reports from inside Gaza said the Doghmush clan has an Israeli affiliation, but the group's leaders have denied that. Nizar Doghmush, head of the clan in Gaza City, told the Los Angeles Times he had been contacted by the Israeli military to manage a humanitarian zone in Gaza City, which he refused.
  • Israel has a history of funding and supporting groups in Gaza to foment internal tensions, including the Popular Forces, a militia led by Yasser Abu Shabab, and the Strike Force Against Terror, led by Hussam al-Astal.
  • Hamas has denied deploying fighters to the streets, and further clashes could still erupt in a society devastated by two years of Israel's genocidal war.

Statistics:

  • At least 27 people were killed in the clashes between the armed clan and Hamas security forces.
  • Eight members of Hamas and 19 members of the Doghmush clan were killed.
  • 28-year-old Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi was also killed in the crossfire.
  • Israel has killed at least 67,806 people in Gaza since the war began in October 2023.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Interior in Gaza
  • Al Jazeera Arabic
  • BBC
  • Reuters news agency
  • Los Angeles Times
  • Al Jazeera

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