Who's Fighting Hamas in Gaza After the Ceasefire?
As-salamu alaykum, brothers and sisters. While the air strikes on Gaza have paused and talks about a prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas are underway, there’s still unrest beneath the surface. Recently, a fierce clash happened in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood between Hamas security forces and another armed group, resulting in the loss of at least 27 lives, including 8 from Hamas.
One of those caught in the conflict was Saleh Aljafarawi, a 28-year-old Palestinian journalist covering the events. The group opposing Hamas is said to be the Doghmush clan, a large family with members involved in different political factions in Gaza. Some members have links to Hamas, others to groups tied to the Palestinian Authority, and there's been talk about ties to Israel, though leaders of the Doghmush family deny this.
The clashes reportedly started after an armed gang attacked fighters from Hamas’s Qassam Brigades. Witnesses described how hundreds of Hamas fighters raided a building where Doghmush gunmen were hiding, leading to heavy casualties on both sides.
This fighting is part of deeper tensions. The Doghmush clan and Hamas have a history of animosity, sometimes leading to violence. There are also other armed groups in Gaza, some allegedly supported by Israel to stir internal conflict. For example, the Popular Forces militia and a group called the Strike Force Against Terror have both had clashes with Hamas before.
These ongoing internal conflicts add to the hardship for people in Gaza, already suffering from years of war and destruction. While the ceasefire holds for now, the situation remains fragile, and more clashes could happen as groups vie for control.
Meanwhile, people are trying to rebuild what they can, and much-needed aid is finally starting to arrive. We pray for peace and safety for all innocent lives affected by this conflict, inshaAllah.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news