Gaza City: Despite the imposed ceasefire in Gaza, conflict continued as Hamas security forces clashed with an Israel-backed armed group, the Dughmush clan. The conflict killed at least 27 people, thus becoming the most violent internal confrontation since the end of Israeli military operations, BBC News reported.
According to a witness, Hamas men exchanged fire with the other team near Gaza’s Jordanian hospital. Out of the dead, eight were Hamas members, while 19 Dughmush fighters. The battle also killed a journalist, Saleh Aljafarawi.
The dominant tribal group in Gaza, the Dughmush, has been involved in conflict with Hamas in the past. They have also accused Hamas of being responsible for Israeli attacks in Gaza. As the army began to withdraw, the tribal armed group resurged with weapons. The group also has Israeli support.
The internal conflict in Gaza comes amid relief efforts to end Israel's genocide that has killed 65,000 people, including residents, hospitals, and schools, and destroyed all infrastructure.
The ceasefire came into effect three days ago in the war-torn enclave. Following this, tens of thousands of people who had fled to the borders and refugee camps returned to their homes, while clan supported by the Israeli army are turning against Hamas, which led the resistance to take up arms. The internal conflict is worrying Gaza residents who are returning to their homes.
Israel has been cultivating a large number of local such teams to fight Hamas while committing genocide in Gaza for two years. As part of this, it armed the Dughmush clan to confront Hamas.