Israel halts war, but has it already sown seeds of continued bloodshed in Gaza?

Bangla Press Desk:  Israel has halted its two-year war on the Gaza Strip, but the Zionists have already repeated its old recipe for continuous bloodbath in Palestinian territories – establishing strong rival groups.

At least three armed groups in Gaza have reportedly received Israeli support to inflict violence on Palestinian civilians and also Hamas – the enclave’s most popular faction and strongest critic of Zionist policies.

The ongoing activity of these groups against Hamas and civilians has contributed to a sense of unrest, as several people in Gaza have told Al Jazeera.

The internal fighting has stopped amid Israelis’ partial withdrawal, but further clashes could still erupt in a society devastated by two years of Israel’s genocidal war.

The security void could lead to confrontations between groups looking to gain influence or territory.

For its part, Hamas has denied deploying fighters to the streets.

‘Hidden behind the headlines of ceasefire’

A prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas tucked behind the headlines that tensions are brewing in Gaza between Hamas and armed groups.

On Sunday, clashes erupted between an armed clan and Hamas security forces, killing at least 27 people, including eight members of Hamas and sending nearby residents fleeing, according to the Ministry of Interior in Gaza.

"This time people weren't fleeing Israeli attacks," one resident told BBC. "They were running from their own people" -- exactly what the Israeli government wants.

Media reports and sources said the clan that was fighting Hamas in Gaza City is the Doghmush clan. The large family has members in various factions across the political spectrum in Gaza.

Media reports and sources said the clan that was fighting Hamas in Gaza City is the Doghmush clan. The large family has members in various factions across the political spectrum in Gaza.

Caught in the crossfire was 28-year-old Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi, who was covering clashes in Gaza City’s Sabra neighbourhood between what security sources told Al Jazeera Arabic was an “armed militia” and Hamas.

There was an outpouring of grief over Aljafarawi’s killing in the midst of which a video of him greeting his friend and colleague Anas al-Sharif circulated on social media.

Al-Sharif, an Al Jazeera correspondent, was killed by Israel on 10 August. Aljafarawi, like al-Sharif, was reportedly threatened multiple times by the Israelis over his reporting.

Following Aljafarawi’s death, the Hamas-run government said an Israeli backed group had killed the critic of Zionist expansion.

It is still unclear if Dogmush is backed by Israel. Some reports from inside Gaza said the clan has an Israeli affiliation, but the group’s leaders have denied that. But Israel does have a history of funding and supporting groups in an effort to foment internal tensions.

Israel supports multiple armed groups in Gaza

Israel is widely recognised to be behind the Popular Forces, a militia led by Yasser Abu Shabab of Gaza’s Tarabin Bedouin tribe.

The Tarabin, however, have denounced Abu Shabab.

While Israel claimed Hamas was stealing aid from the people of Gaza, it was revealed that the Popular Forces was the one looting aid to resell to Gaza’s starving people. Hamas reportedly clashed with the Popular Forces on a few occasions since September 2024, accusing them of being Israeli collaborators.

Israel has also reportedly backed a group calling itself the Strike Force Against Terror, led by Hussam al-Astal, a member of the al-Majida clan. Al-Astal’s group also clashed with Hamas in early October before the ceasefire was announced, according to Israeli media.

Al-Astal is a former officer in the Palestinian Authority’s (PA’s) security forces but was accused by the PA and Hamas of collaborating with Israel in the 1990s. Israeli media reports said al-Astal was a member of Abu Shabab’s militia and continues to coordinate with the Popular Forces leader.

He reportedly controls a village called Qizan an-Najjar in the Khan Younis governorate in southern Gaza.

The ongoing activity of these groups against Hamas and against civilians has contributed to a sense of unrest, as several people in Gaza have told Al Jazeera.

BP/SP