Armed Clans Rise Up: Gaza’s Growing Rebellion Against Hamas
In the war-scorched landscape of Gaza, a new dynamic is emerging: clan networks and militias once peripheral to governance and resistance are increasingly acting as rivals to Hamas. Frustration over insufficient aid, civilian suffering, alleged corruption, and the effects of relentless military pressure are fueling a sense of betrayal, even among those who once tolerated or cooperated with the Islamist group. As Israel’s military offensive intensifies, so too does the opposition from within Gaza—especially from armed clans that feel they have nothing left to lose.
Who Are These Clans?
One of the best-known is Yasser Abu Shabab and his Popular Forces militia, active in Rafah. Originally part of a Bedouin clan, this group has been accused by Hamas of looting UN aid trucks and collaborating with Israel. Abu Shabab counters these charges by saying his militia is safeguarding humanitarian aid convoys and protecting civilians.
Another is the Khalas clan, based in Shuja'iyya, Gaza City. Led by Rami Khalas, this clan has historical links to Fatah and has long been hostile to Hamas.
There are also reports of other clan factions emerging in Khan Yunis and elsewhere. Some have purported connections—whether ideological, opportunistic, or simply survival-based—with external backers. Israel, for its part, has acknowledged “activating” some of these clans opposed to Hamas.
What’s Driving the Rebellion?
Several factors are pushing clans toward open opposition:
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Humanitarian crisis & desperation: As aid dwindles and civilian hardship increases, people are demanding accountability. Many clans claim they are stepping forward where Hamas has failed to protect or provide.
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Weakening of Hamas control: Losses in leadership, damage to infrastructure (including tunnel networks), and intense military pressure have reduced Hamas’s ability to maintain centralized power. This creates power vacuums in which clans can assert themselves.
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Local grievances: Many clans accuse Hamas of abusing its authority—accusations of looting, suppression of dissent, mistreatment of civilians, restricting movement, commandeering resources. Abu Shabab's group, for example, says they do not recognize Hamas’s legitimacy and see it as harming Gaza’s interests.
Risks, Uncertainties & Possible Outcomes
Though this internal opposition is growing, it is far from certain what shape it will take or whether it can truly "bury Hamas." Key challenges include:
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Legitimacy: Many clans are viewed with suspicion by ordinary Gazans. Allegations of looting, criminality, ties to external forces (including Israel), or past wrongdoing undermine their claim to moral high ground. Abu Shabab, for instance, is accused of criminal behavior and smuggling, and some members of his clan reject him.
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Fragmentation: There is no unified front. Clans differ in size, resources, loyalties, and political vision. Some are Fatah‐aligned, others tribal, others simply local strongmen. Coordinating among them, or maintaining long‐term alliances, may be difficult.
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Repression from Hamas: Hamas is still armed, has political structures, intelligence capabilities, and territory under control. It has reportedly sent fighters to attempt to eliminate clan leaders who openly defy it.
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External intervention & consequences: If Israel is supporting some of these clans (with weapons, resources, or tacit backing), that carries risks: accusations of collaboration, blowback if clans misuse power, or that these groups become new problems. Foreign support tends to complicate internal legitimacy.
How This Could Reshape Gaza
If these rebellions are sustained, several possible scenarios might unfold:
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More localized authority: Instead of one centralized Hamas control, Gaza could fragment into zones controlled by different clans or militias, each with its own governance and security arrangements.
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Erosion of Hamas’ monopoly: Hamas may lose control of certain territories entirely (especially under assault or when its forces are overstretched) or see localized power centers that contest its orders.
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Shifts in external diplomacy and aid: Aid distribution, ceasefire negotiations, and future governance plans may need to take into account these clans—who might demand role or recognition. International and regional players could see them as proxies or partners, complicating traditional peace or resolution frameworks.
Conclusion
The rise of armed clan opposition in Gaza marks a dramatic intensification of internal dissent. While “burying Hamas” might still be aspirational, enough cracks in Hamas’s control are visible that these clans are stepping forward—sometimes violently, often controversially—to fill spaces left by failure. Whether this becomes a coherent counterforce, or another layer of chaos in Gaza’s suffering, remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the humanitarian cost continues.