Imagine a city already scarred by war, only to be torn apart again—this time by its own people. In a shocking turn of events, Gaza City has become the epicenter of a deadly clash between Hamas security forces and the Dughmush clan, leaving at least 27 dead. This isn’t just another skirmish; it’s one of the bloodiest internal conflicts since the end of major Israeli operations in the enclave. But here’s where it gets even more complicated: the violence erupted after Hamas forces, numbering over 300, stormed a residential block where Dughmush gunmen had taken refuge. Witnesses describe masked Hamas fighters exchanging gunfire with clan members near the Jordanian Hospital, a scene that has left residents in sheer panic.
And this is the part most people miss: The Dughmush family, one of Gaza’s most influential clans, has a long history of tension with Hamas. This isn’t their first clash, but it’s certainly the deadliest. Hamas claims the operation was launched after Dughmush gunmen killed two of their fighters and wounded five others. However, the Dughmush family tells a different story. They allege that Hamas forces targeted them after they sought refuge in a building—formerly the Jordanian Hospital—following the destruction of their homes in the al-Sabra neighborhood during the recent Israeli attack. The family claims Hamas wanted to evict them to establish a new base.
Here’s where it gets controversial: Hamas insists it’s merely restoring order, warning that any armed activity outside the framework of the resistance will be dealt with firmly. But is this truly about maintaining control, or is there a deeper power struggle at play? With Hamas recalling 7,000 security force members to reassert authority in areas vacated by Israeli troops, some are questioning whether this is a legitimate security operation or an attempt to consolidate power. Reports of armed Hamas units deploying across districts—some in civilian clothes, others in police uniforms—have only fueled skepticism, despite denials from the Hamas media office.
For residents, the trauma is all too familiar. One resident poignantly noted, ‘This time, people weren’t fleeing Israeli attacks. They were running from their own people.’ Families, already displaced multiple times during the war, are now caught in the crossfire of a conflict that feels eerily personal. Medical sources confirm 19 Dughmush clan members and 8 Hamas fighters have been killed since the fighting began on Saturday, with both sides trading accusations over who sparked the violence.
Here’s the question that lingers: Can Gaza afford this kind of internal strife when it’s still reeling from external conflict? And what does this mean for the future of governance in the enclave? Is Hamas truly acting in the interest of stability, or is this a sign of deeper fractures within Gaza’s leadership? We want to hear from you—share your thoughts in the comments below. This isn’t just a local story; it’s a reflection of the complex challenges facing communities in the aftermath of war.
