Factbox-Clans and armed groups challenging Hamas in Gaza
GAZA (Reuters) – As the Gaza war drags on, a diminished Hamas faces increasing internal challenges for control of Gaza from long-standing rivals, many of whom are linked to powerful local tribes.
Since Friday’s ceasefire took effect, Hamas has sought to reassert itself by cracking down on dozens of its opponents after it appeared to have won approval for the United States to temporarily monitor the fragmented region.
Some of the important clans and names whose members have clashed with Hamas forces in the last two years are listed below.
ABU SHABAB clan
Yasser Abu Shabab, who lives in Rafah district, is the most prominent leader of the anti-Hamas clans. It operates in an area south of Gaza still occupied by Israeli forces.
According to a source close to Abu Shabaab, his group has recruited hundreds of fighters by offering attractive salaries. Hamas accuses him of collaborating with Israel, a charge he denies.
His clan is a Bedouin group located in the eastern region of Rafah. It is unclear whether the entire clan supports Abu Shabaab’s actions. His personal strength is estimated at around 400 men.
DOGHMOSH CLAN
The Doghmosh clan is one of the largest and most powerful in the Gaza Strip and has historically been well armed. Clan leaders view weapons as a cultural necessity to defend their lands. Its members have links to various Palestinian militant groups, including Fatah and Hamas.
Mumtaz Doghmosh, a prominent tribal leader, formerly led the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza City. He later founded the “Army of Islam”, which declared allegiance to the Islamic State. The Army of Islam, along with Hamas, was one of the groups involved in the cross-border attack that resulted in the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006. He was later released through a prisoner swap.
Mümtaz Doğmoş’s whereabouts have been unknown since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023. Hamas has clashed with the clan in the past over its refusal to disarm and over the Army of Islam’s kidnapping of a British reporter.
Hamas fighters clashed with Doghmosh members on Sunday and Monday. According to security sources, many members of the clan were killed along with some Hamas fighters. There is no evidence that Mumtaz Doghmosh was involved in the recent conflict, as she has not been seen or heard from in public for several years.
AL-MAJAYDA CLAN
This large and powerful tribe is headquartered in Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip. Its members have clashed with Hamas fighters in recent months.
Earlier this month, Hamas raided the clan’s territory to arrest people it said were wanted for killing Hamas members. Hamas and clan members said the conflict resulted in many deaths on both sides.
Sources close to the clan deny Hamas’ accusations that its members have links to Abu Shabaab. They accuse Hamas of using the raid as an excuse for targeted killings, citing a document they claim was recovered from the bodies of Hamas fighters killed during the raid.
But on Monday, the clan’s head made a statement on social media confirming his support for Hamas’ security campaign to maintain law and order in Gaza and calling on the tribe’s members to cooperate. The clan has members from different affiliations, such as Fatah and Hamas.
RAMI HELLİS
The Hellis clan is a large clan in Gaza City, headquartered in the suburb of Shejaia. A few months ago, Rami Hellis, a senior member of the clan, and Ahmed Jundeya, a member of another large Shejaia clan, founded a group operating in defiance of Hamas in parts of Shejaia that are still under the control of the Israeli army.
(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Editing by Ros Russell)
