Security sources in Gaza said a plot by an armed gang was foiled in western Gaza City, describing the attempt as bold, given it took place in zones where the Hamas movement maintains full security control.
Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat the incident occurred Thursday evening in the Al-Nasr neighborhood
Large security forces were deployed in the area, and vehicles were searched as part of a manhunt for members of a cell belonging to an armed gang calling itself the “Popular Army.”
The group is led by Ashraf Al-Mansi, a former officer in the Palestinian Authority’s security services, and operates mainly in the northern Gaza areas of Jabalia and Beit Lahia.
Shortly before midnight on Wednesday-Thursday, gunmen opened fire near a Hamas security checkpoint in the area before fleeing. Security investigations later found they had hidden in a nearby part of the neighborhood.
On Thursday evening, the same group tried to open fire on another patrol, but was chased after security forces, already on alert, moved to intercept them. One gunman was arrested after security forces raided a house where members of the gang were staying. Two firearms and ammunition were seized, while the remaining suspects fled toward their areas of influence northwest of Beit Lahia.
Motive
Investigators are questioning the detainee to determine the intended target of the planned attack and whether it was aimed at a Hamas security officer or simply a security post.
The armed gangs had assassinated two senior security officers in the past three months in Khan Younis and Al-Maghazi.
Such groups often exploit the presence of Israeli drones overhead for cover when carrying out attacks. Sources said this was the first time they attempted such an operation, while Israel was more focused on the war with Iran.
Days earlier, four-wheel-drive vehicles mounted with new heavy machine guns known as “Dushka” were seen moving along Salah al-Din Street east of Khan Younis. It later emerged that they belonged to members of an armed gang active in those areas, while Israeli drones were flying overhead.
Hamas has been waging a campaign against these armed gangs, seeking to kill or arrest their members. The movement has also tried to dismantle the groups through local clans, urging their members to surrender in return for the opportunity to “repent.”
Hamas is holding many arrested members of these gangs in secure locations and interrogating them for information about their activities. Some were killed when a site where they were being held was struck by an Israeli attack about a month ago in Gaza.
Israeli attacks continue
On the ground, Israeli attacks across Gaza have continued, killing eight Palestinians near the yellow line designated as the initial withdrawal line under the ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 10.
A Palestinian was killed Friday afternoon in an Israeli strike on the main Salah al-Din Street at the entrance to the Shujaia neighborhood east of Gaza City, about 230 meters from the yellow line.
Four others were wounded in separate incidents in different areas.
Three Palestinians were also killed on Thursday in similar incidents as gunfire and shelling continued across the Gaza Strip.
Since early Friday, areas on both sides of the yellow line have come under heavy gunfire and artillery shelling, while Israeli forces carried out demolition operations in several parts of the enclave.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, 638 people have been killed since the ceasefire took effect, while the overall death toll since the start of the war on Oct. 7, 2023, has risen to more than 72,120.
