Hamas has recalled about 7,000 members of its security forces to reassert control over areas of Gaza recently vacated by Israeli troops, according to local sources.
The Palestinian group also appointed five new governors, all with military backgrounds, to help stabilize the region. The mobilization order was issued through phone calls and text messages targeting fighters to report within 24 hours with the goal of cleansing Gaza of outlaws and collaborators with Israel. Armed units are already present in several districts, sporting both civilian clothing and police uniforms.
Tensions escalated sharply following the fatal shooting of two members of Hamas's elite forces by members of the Dughmush clan in Gaza City's Sabra neighborhood, inciting anger and potentially prompting retaliatory actions from Hamas. Notably, the dead included the son of a high-ranking Hamas commander.
In response, Hamas has reportedly secured the area surrounding the Dughmush clan's location, leading to further violence where one clan member was killed and dozens were reportedly kidnapped.
The implications of this mobilization come during a tenuous period following a ceasefire aimed at establishing a new peace framework. Observers anticipate potential internal conflict in Gaza as uncertainty looms over future governance, particularly regarding disarmament demands from international powers.
Furthermore, the dire state of Gaza, compounded by frustration among the populace and an influx of illegal arms, could create a volatile environment, leading to fears of civil unrest and violence, as noted by various experts on the ground.
