Gaza City has been rocked by deadly violence, with at least 27 individuals losing their lives in fierce confrontations between Hamas security forces and armed members of the Dughmush clan. This outbreak of internal conflict is among the most severe since Israeli troops withdrew from the area.
Witnesses reported intense exchanges of gunfire between Hamas gunmen and clan fighters near the city’s Jordanian hospital. An official from the Hamas-run interior ministry stated that their security units surrounded the clan members, leading to heavy fighting. The ministry confirmed the deaths of eight of its own members, describing the incident as an “armed assault by a militia.” Medical sources indicated that 19 members of the Dughmush clan and eight Hamas fighters were killed since the fighting began on Saturday.
The clashes reportedly started in the Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood after a large Hamas force attempted to enter a residential block occupied by Dughmush gunmen. Residents described scenes of panic as families fled their homes amidst the gunfire, with many already displaced by the ongoing conflict. One resident expressed the fear felt by the community, stating, “This time people weren’t fleeing Israeli attacks. They were running from their own people.”
The Dughmush family, a prominent clan in Gaza, has a history of strained relations with Hamas, and its armed members have been involved in previous clashes with the group. The Hamas interior ministry emphasized its commitment to restoring order, issuing a warning that “any armed activity outside the framework of the resistance” would be met with firm action.
Both sides have issued conflicting accounts of what triggered the violence. Hamas initially claimed that Dughmush gunmen killed two of its fighters and injured five others, which prompted the operation. However, a source from the Dughmush family stated that Hamas forces targeted the building, which formerly housed the Jordanian Hospital, where the family had sought refuge after their homes were destroyed. This source alleged that Hamas intended to occupy the building for its own operational base.
In related news, Hamas has reportedly recalled approximately 7,000 members of its security forces to regain control in areas of Gaza recently vacated by Israeli troops. Reports suggest Hamas units have been seen deployed in various districts, some in civilian attire and others in police uniforms, though the Hamas media office has denied deploying “fighters in the streets.”
Related Articles
- What we know about the Gaza ceasefire agreement and hostages release
- Israelis praise Trump at huge rally ahead of expected hostage release by Hamas in Gaza
- Nova festival survivor found dead two years after 7 October attack
More from the BBC
- Starmer to attend Egypt summit on Gaza peace plan, No 10 says
- ‘I was prepared to face death on Gaza flotilla’
- Phillipson: Universities must tackle antisemitism
- ‘We are inventing captivity medicine’: Hospital prepares for freed Israeli hostages
- Hamas mobilises fighters in Gaza as fears of internal violence mount