Armed clans challenge Hamas in Gaza: looting, trafficking and power in the hands of local militias

Taking advantage of the chaos and weakening of Hamas’ authority, armed clans historically linked to smuggling are taking control of territories and aid convoys

In the Gaza Strip, a phenomenon parallel to Hamas’ power is taking hold: local armed clans, which have been involved in smuggling for years, are taking control of entire neighbourhoods and communication routes, acting as autonomous militias. According to sources from the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), reported by the Walla website, these groups not only loot warehouses and humanitarian convoys, but also respond with weapons to attempts at repression by Hamas, which is now in difficulty.

The Saudi website Al Hadath confirms that Hamas has lost control of internal security, while organised gangs steal aid, raid homes and threaten the civilian population. In reality, the emergence of these clans is not new, but has its roots in a well-established network of illicit trafficking — weapons, drugs, cigarettes, technology — from Egypt and Israel, over which Hamas had sought to exercise fragile mediation over time, in some cases leading to tactical collaborations.

Among the most influential groups is the Abu Shabab clan, led by Yasser Abu Shabab of the Tarabin family, already active between Rafah, the north and the south of the Strip. The clan is said to have taken on an ambiguous role: it protects some humanitarian convoys, but at the same time plunders others. Hamas openly accuses it of collaborating with Israel.

Another historic group is the Dughmush (or Dajmash) clan, originally from Tel al-Hawa and al-Sabra in Gaza City. Involved in the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, it has had armed clashes with Hamas in the past. Its leader was killed in 2024 on charges of contacts with the Jewish state.

Other active clans include:

Abu Tir, active in Khan Yunis, linked to trafficking from Sinai.

Al Kashk, based in Gaza City, close to some local authorities.

Abu Risha, based in Rafah, in contact with Salafist groups.

Shawish, smaller but present in Gaza.

Baraka, affiliated with al-Fatah, also active in the central area of the Strip.

According to Israeli security sources reported by the Jerusalem Post, the driving force behind these clans is more economic than ideological: power, resources and influence guide their actions, while instability favours their entrenchment. The weakening of central authority has transformed Gaza into an increasingly fragmented territory, where the law of arms seems to prevail over any other form of control.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)