Saleh Aljafarawi, a Palestinian photojournalist, was shot dead on Sunday evening while covering the aftermath of Israeli bombings in Tel Al-Hawa, southwest Gaza City. Aljafarawi was targeted during armed clashes between Hamas fighters, and members of the Doghmosh clan, who are accused of collaborating with Israel.
Saleh Aljafarawi was wearing a press vest when he was shot multiple times in the back. He was taken to Al-Shifa Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to a journalist source who spoke to Al Manassa. The source confirmed that Aljafarawi was working in Tel Al-Hawa, which had been heavily damaged during Israel’s recent ground offensive.
A relative told Al Manassa that Aljafarawi had gone to work on Sunday morning but lost contact with his family by midday. “We were informed later in the evening that he was killed by members of the Doghmosh clan, who are accused of collaborating with the occupation,” the relative said. “There were no further details.”
According to the same source, Aljafarawi had previously received threats from Israeli forces for his reporting on military violations during the two-year war on Gaza.
A source within the Palestinian resistance told Al Manassa that Doghmosh gunmen executed Aljafarawi at point-blank range while he was documenting the destruction. The killing reportedly triggered a large-scale security operation targeting the Doghmosh compound on Al-Sinaa Street in the Sabra neighborhood.
Fighters from the Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ armed wing, later besieged Doghmosh homes following accusations that the clan was responsible for killing resistance fighters near the Jordanian Field Hospital two days earlier. The clan was also accused of collaborating with Israel in assassinating resistance leaders.
A witness told Al Manassa that resistance fighters began surrounding the compound on Sunday afternoon, firing bullets and launching projectiles toward Doghmosh homes. Residents responded with heavy gunfire. “The clashes lasted more than four hours, with intense crossfire from all directions,” the witness said.
“Resistance forces attacked the site with a large number of fighters,” the witness added. “We couldn’t leave our homes. We were lying on the ground the whole time, too afraid to move. When we tried to leave, we had to go back because of the shooting.”
Another eyewitness confirmed that women and children from the Doghmosh clan were among those killed and injured. After resistance fighters seized control of the area, several male family members were detained.
A resistance source said several suspects accused of lawlessness and collaboration were killed, and more than 60 others detained for interrogation. Resistance fighters reportedly found materials inciting against the resistance and documents containing names of activists allegedly passed to Israel.
Later that night, resistance forces raided homes in Khan Younis and arrested additional suspects accused of collaborating with Israel. The source said the operations would continue in the coming days.
Writer Shrouq Doghmosh, a member of the targeted clan, condemned Hamas’ actions in a Facebook post. “Just months ago, Hamas considered the Doghmosh clan patriotic for refusing to collaborate with the occupation,” she wrote. “Most of us stayed in Gaza until the final day of the genocide.”
“There are people in every family who go astray, but that doesn’t give Hamas the right to raid homes using ambulances, storm bombed-out buildings, and kill women and youth under the pretext of resistance. There is no justification for these attacks.”
Dozens of Doghmosh homes had already been destroyed in earlier Israeli attacks, most recently in September, when Israeli forces stormed Tel Al-Hawa and Sabra. Residences were hit without warning, killing more than 40 people, including children. Many remain missing beneath the rubble.
In a statement seen by Al Manassa, the Doghmosh Central Council said the clan had lost many members in the Palestinian struggle and rejected attempts to implicate the entire family in individual acts.
On Sunday, Hamas’ Interior Ministry announced a “general amnesty” for gang members not involved in bloodshed, giving them a chance to surrender. The ministry said efforts to restore order had begun after Friday’s ceasefire.
Last Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced the signing of the first phase of a US-brokered agreement between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli occupation forces confirmed its withdrawal as the deal took effect on Friday, urging Palestinians not to approach Israeli positions.
The Gaza Interior Ministry said certain criminal groups looted humanitarian aid and attacked property during the war. It encouraged those not involved in killings to surrender by Sunday to avoid prosecution.
The prisoner exchange deal includes the release of 250 long-term Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees arrested after Oct. 7, 2023, including 22 minors. Roughly 9,000 Palestinians remain imprisoned by Israel.
