Palestinian journalist Saleh Al Jafarawi killed while covering Gaza city clashes

Ministry of interior says he was hit by stray gunfire by 'outlaws in the area'

Journalist Saleh Al Jafarawi was known for documenting the war in Gaza

Palestinian journalist Saleh Al Jafarawi, known for documenting Israel's two-year war on the Gaza Strip, was reportedly killed while covering clashes in Gaza city on Sunday night − days after he celebrated the announcement of a ceasefire.

Local Palestinian media reported that he had been shot dead by members of an armed militia, the Doghmush clan, which has been accused of collaborating with Israel.

Mr Al Jafarawi was reportedly covering clashes between the group and Hamas in Sabra neighbourhood. According to an officer in the Ministry of Interior, the operation was the culmination of weeks of tension.

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“These groups had formed militias during the war,” the officer told The National. “They collaborated with the occupation, assaulted civilians, and tried to impose their control with weapons. We gave them 48 hours to surrender, they refused. When they realised we were preparing to move in, they set up roadblocks, imposed curfews and climbed to rooftops to fire on anyone approaching.”

Six civilians were killed during the clashes, the ministry said, including Mr Al Jafarawi, and the son of Hamas leader Bassam Naim, who was not involved in the fighting.

“He [Mr Al Jafarawi ] was killed by random gunfire from outlaws in the area. When the clashes calmed, his body and others were recovered and taken to the Al Ahli Hospital.”

Tributes poured in overnight on social media from family members, journalists and social media personalities. Footage purportedly showing his body was also circulating online.

Just days before he was reported killed, Al Jafarawi had filmed himself celebrating the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza.

Despite the recent truce, local authorities have warned of the volatile security situation in the Gaza Strip.

“We will not tolerate any threat to Gaza’s security,” the ministry officer said. “Even if political power changes hands, those who destabilise our society must be held accountable.”

For months, Gazans have spoken in whispers about the rise of armed groups seeking to fill a power vacuum left by two years of war.

What began as small armed gangs have become organised militias, patrolling neighbourhoods and clashing with fighters from Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007.

According to witnesses and human rights groups, some have attacked hospitals and surrendered Palestinians to Israeli forces.

For many observers, the violence marks the beginning of a new and volatile phase in Gaza’s security landscape.

“What’s happening in Gaza since the ceasefire is setting the stage for an extremely complex transitional phase,” Abdullah Sharshara, a researcher and writer on Palestinian domestic affairs, told The National.

“Groups in Gaza city and beyond are detaining and executing people, opening fire without reason. While many see it as a clash between Hamas and collaborators, in truth it’s about redefining power centres after the collapse of the old social and economic order.”

He warned that this power vacuum could invite deeper chaos, as clans, militias, and even Israelis manoeuvre to shape what comes next.

“Each side is trying to secure its place in a new system that’s still being built,” Mr Sharshara said. “And Hamas, with its security apparatus, is determined to remain the dominant force, even as other, smaller groups challenge it from the margins.”

“These waves of internal fighting may continue intermittently,” Mr Sharshara said. “But they will ultimately reinforce Hamas’s position as the primary power in a fragmented landscape.”

The Doghmush family is one of Gaza's most prominent clans and has had a tense relationship with Hamas.

Al Jafarawi had previously spoken about his experience covering the war, having been displaced from northern Gaza and receiving threats from Israel over his work.

“Honestly, I lived in fear every second, especially after hearing what the Israeli occupation was saying about me. I was living life second to second, not knowing what the next second would bring,” he told Al Jazeera in January.

More than 220 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, making it the deadliest place ever for media workers.

Al Jafarawi's death came just ahead of a hostage-detainee exchange on Monday and a summit gathering world leaders in Egypt.