In Beit Lahia, an exchange of gunfire erupted between gunmen affiliated with Ashraf al-Mansi and Hamas forces. At the same time, another confrontation was reported in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City between the Dajmash clan and Hamas, during which Muhammad Imad Aql, the son of a senior Hamas military commander who was previously assassinated, was killed.
Hamas forces surrounded the al-Dhamsha family neighborhood in the al-Sabra area of Gaza City on Friday night. Schools and residential towers were evacuated, while snipers and a large number of masked, armed men were deployed throughout the area.
Hamas views the rebellious clans as a direct threat to its control over Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. During the war, Hamas executed the mukhtar (chief) of the Dajmash clan - one of the armed families in northern Gaza - fearing that Israel might try to use the clan against it. As part of its efforts to suppress the uprising, Hamas sent senior fighters to attempt an assassination of Yasser Abu Shabab, leader of the Rafah militia. The assassination attempt failed. (Read More)
