Recent Clashes in Gaza City: 27 Lives Lost in Violent Confrontation Between Hamas and Local Clans

At least 27 people have died in violent clashes between Hamas security forces and armed members of the Dughmush family in Gaza City. This confrontation marks one of the worst internal conflicts since major Israeli military operations ended in the area.

Witnesses reported that masked Hamas gunmen exchanged fire with Dughmush fighters near the Jordanian hospital in the city. A senior Hamas official stated that their security units engaged in heavy fighting to detain Dughmush members. The interior ministry claimed that eight of its members died due to “an armed assault by a militia.” Medical sources indicated that 19 members of the Dughmush clan and eight Hamas fighters lost their lives as fighting escalated, which began on Saturday.

The conflict ignited in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood after a Hamas force of over 300 fighters attempted to storm a residential block where Dughmush gunmen had taken refuge. Eyewitnesses described panic among residents as families fled their homes under gunfire. One local noted this was different; people were fleeing not from Israeli attacks but from their own group.

The Dughmush family is one of Gaza’s prominent clans, and tensions with Hamas have a long history. They have clashed multiple times before. The Hamas interior ministry aimed to restore order, stating that any armed activity outside resistance would face strong repercussions. Both sides exchanged blame for igniting the violence.

In the lead-up to the confrontation, Hamas claimed Dughmush gunmen had killed two of its fighters and wounded five, which prompted the military action. However, a Dughmush family source argued that Hamas attacked their refuge— a building that used to be the Jordanian Hospital— to displace them and establish a new base for its forces.

Hamas is reportedly recalling around 7,000 members of its security forces to regain control over areas left by Israeli troops. Reports indicate that armed units have already spread across several districts, some in civilian clothes and others in police uniforms. However, Hamas has denied deploying “fighters in the streets.”

These events highlight the internal conflicts in Gaza amid ongoing tensions and the complexity of power dynamics in the region. Such clashes not only increase the toll on local communities but also shape the future of governance and security within Gaza. As noted by experts, internal strife can often weaken a group’s territorial hold and diminish its support among locals, making peaceful resolutions increasingly challenging.

For more context on the current situation in Gaza and its historical backdrop, visit BBC News.

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