Hamas-tribal clashes sees dozens killed as new phase for Gaza begins

Deadly clashes between Hamas and a rival clan broke out in Gaza City on Sunday as the Palestinian armed group fought to restore order in the enclave, as Israeli forces withdraw from areas under its control.

Dozens of people were reportedly killed and others were wounded in gun battles between Hamas security forces and fighters linked to the powerful Doghmush family in the Sabra neighbourhood in the south of the city.

A security official in Gaza's interior ministry claimed that members of the militia opened fire on displaced Palestinians who were trying to return to the city.

Several Hamas fighters were killed in the violence, the source said in comments to Al Jazeera.

Palestinian journalist and social media influencer Saleh al-Jafarawi was killed in Sabra after coming under fire from gunmen. Almost 240 journalists have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its genocidal assault on the territory on October 2023, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Unverified reports claimed that the son of senior Hamas official Bassem Naim was also wounded in the clashes.

Hamas has been trying to re-establish control of Gaza in the days since the Israeli military pulled back its forces following last week's ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Security forces have reportedly been deployed in areas not occupied by Israeli troops, with videos circulating of armed police patrolling the streets and markets of Gaza City.

Hamas has reportedly vowed revenge against the militias it accuses of having collaborated with the Israeli military.

Unverified reports have claimed that Hamas forces over the weekend detained Yasser Abu Shabab, a tribal militia leader with alleged links to the Islamic State. His Popular Forces militia has received weapons and funding from Israel to fight Hamas and loot aid convoys, according to reports.

In the days leading up to the ceasefire, Hamas fighters were reported to have clashed with members of the Al-Mujaida clan in Khan Younis.

Dozens of people were reported killed and injured in the violence on 3 October, which followed a series of tit-for-tat killings and kidnappings between the two groups.

Members of the Al-Mujaida family have ties with Hamas's main Palestinian rival, Fatah.

Hamas has had an uneasy relationship with the Doghmush family since coming to power in Gaza almost two decades ago.

Clan members have associated with officials in Fatah and founded the jihadist group the Army of Islam, and Hamas has accused both families of collaborating with Israel.

US President Donald Trump appeared to support Hamas's bid to maintain order in Gaza in comments on Air Force One on Sunday.

"They want to stop the problems, and they've been open about it, and we gave them an approval for a period of time," he told reporters.

Hamas has pledged to step down from power in Gaza in favour of an independent administration as part of Trump's peace plan.

How and when Hamas will hand over power to a transitional authority is yet to be negotiated and is likely to be highly contentious.

The Palestinian group has refused to meet Israel's demands to surrender its weapons and demilitarise the territory.

It has also criticised key aspects of the Trump administration's proposal for an international 'Board of Peace' to administer Gaza, which would be led by the US president and former UK prime minister Tony Blair.