11 dead, 40 injured as Hamas battles clan in Gaza

Hamas has seen the large and well-armed Dagmoush clan as a challenge to its authority. A police officer and a baby are among the dead.

By Ashraf Khalil and Rushdi Abu Alouf
September 17, 2008

GAZA CITY – A night of clashes between Hamas forces and one of Gaza’s strongest armed clans left 11 people dead, including a young girl, and at least 40 wounded.

The battle, which ended early this morning, began when police surrounded the compound of the Dagmoush clan in Gaza City, demanding that they turn over a family member who allegedly had killed a police officer while resisting arrest.

Gunfire and explosions were heard through the night in the Sabra neighborhood. By morning, the police were claiming victory, saying that nine Dagmoush fighters, including the wanted man, had been slain and several more arrested.

One police officer was killed, as well as the 5-month-old daughter of the one of the family members, according to the police.

Police spokesman Islam Shahwan declared the operation a successful and said officers had also seized weapons and explosives.

The Dagmoush family is a large, independent and widely feared clan alleged to be heavily involved in drug and weapons trafficking. Since routing the Fatah faction and taking control of Gaza last summer, Hamas has moved to establish order on the streets and suppress potential challenges to its authority.

In the complex network of Gazan political and blood loyalties, the Dagmoushes are scattered throughout the different factions, including Hamas. One of its most prominent members, Mumtaz Dagmoush, heads the Army of Islam, a radical group that has occasionally butted heads with Hamas and was responsible for last year’s kidnapping of BBC reporter Alan Johnston. Shortly after taking over Gaza, Hamas confronted the faction and secured Johnston’s release after a tense standoff.

Fatah, the Hamas rival that lost parliamentary elections in January 2006 and now controls only the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, condemned the overnight crackdown, coming amid the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

“Such shameful practices of Hamas in the holy month of Ramadan are definite proof that Hamas has lost all humanitarian and religious values,” said Fatah spokesman Fahmi Zaarir in a statement.

ashraf.khalil@latimes.com

Special correspondent Abu Alouf reported from Gaza City and Times staff writer Khalil from Jerusalem.