Clashes Between Hamas and Armed Clan Members Kill 27

4 HOURS AGO·UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO

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Above: Hamas-affiliated security forces take security measures in Khan Yunis, Gaza on Oct. 13, 2025. Image copyright: Doaa Albaz/Anadolu/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-government narrative

Hamas' recent operation in Gaza City underscores its role as the only organized authority capable of maintaining security and preventing armed chaos after Israel’s withdrawal. The Dughmush clan, known for criminal activity and defiance of public order, provoked the confrontation by attacking Hamas security personnel. The Interior Ministry's response was necessary to restore stability and prevent militias from undermining the resistance front.

Middle East Monitor Quds News Network

Government-critical narrative

The deadly clashes in Gaza City reveal Hamas' deepening authoritarian control over the enclave. By storming civilian areas and targeting the Dughmush family — displaced survivors of Israeli bombardment— Hamas shows it prioritizes consolidating power over protecting its people. Hamas is to be blamed for dragging the territory into war and deepening Palestinians' suffering. This is a faction that now rules through force and fear.

The Jerusalem Post Ynet

Pro-Israel narrative

The emerging clashes between Hamas and Gaza clans are both a weakness and an opportunity. These clan uprisings — such as by the Dughmush or Abu Shabab factions — are proof that Hamas' grip is fracturing, especially in the south, where logistical and military pressures are greater. Israel has activated certain clans opposed to Hamas, providing logistical or political backing, as these groups could serve as alternative nodes of authority once Hamas is sufficiently weakened.

The Times of Israel