 "Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians returned to a devastated Gaza City, after an Israel-Hamas ceasefire came into effect, and as both sides discuss implementing US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the war, which calls for Hamas' disarmament and for the group not to be involved in running post-war Gaza.- AFP")
Despite the cessation between Israel and Hamas, and ongoing prisoner exchanges, fresh violence has flared within the Gaza Strip, pitting Hamas security forces against a powerful armed group in a deadly internal clash.
On Sunday (October 12), a confrontation erupted in Gaza City’s Sabra neighbourhood between Hamas and what reports identify as members of the large Doghmush clan.
The Interior Ministry in Gaza confirmed the violence resulted in at least 27 deaths, including eight members of Hamas and 19 members of the clan, as reported by Al Jazeera. Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi, 28, who was covering the skirmish, was also killed.
What triggered the recent fighting?
The clashes reportedly began on Saturday when an “outlaw gang” killed fighters from the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, near the Jordan Field Hospital.
According to a Palestinian security source who spoke to Al Jazeera, Hamas forces subsequently launched a campaign, storming a residential block where the gunmen were holed up in a targeted operation.
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The Doghmush clan has members across Gaza’s political spectrum and a history of armed animosity with Hamas, which in the past has devolved into armed confrontations. This history of bad blood provides a volatile backdrop for the recent violence.
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More ShortsWho is the Doghmush clan and what is their role?
The Doghmush clan is a large, powerful family with influence in Gaza. One prominent member, Momtaz Doghmush, was involved in the 2008 capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit by the group Jaish al-Islam.
While members have served in various factions, including Hamas and groups affiliated with the Palestinian Authority, the clan elements involved in Sunday’s fighting have been described by Hamas as an “armed militia” and an “outlaw gang.”
Is there an Israeli connection to these armed groups?
The question of external influence, specifically from Israel, remains murky and contested.
Some reports from inside Gaza have claimed the Doghmush elements involved may be affiliated with Israel, a charge the group’s leaders have denied. Nizar Doghmush, head of the clan in Gaza City, told the Los Angeles Times in early October that he had been contacted by the Israeli military to manage a so-called humanitarian zone in Gaza City, an offer he claims to have refused.
However, Israel is widely recognised for supporting and funding other militias in Gaza in an effort to foment internal tensions.
These groups include the “Popular Forces,” reportedly led by Yasser Abu Shabab, and the “Strike Force Against Terror,” led by Hussam al-Astal. Hamas has clashed with both groups on several occasions, consistently accusing them of collaborating with Israel and, in the case of the Popular Forces, looting humanitarian aid.
What does this mean for Gaza’s future security?
The deadly internal conflict, which erupted during a period intended for calm and a focus on humanitarian relief, hints at profound instability.
The fighting has paused for now, but the intense devastation wrought by the conflict, combined with the power struggle among armed groups, suggests that further clashes are likely.
The security vacuum following the war creates fertile ground for confrontations between groups vying for influence and territory.