Conflict Blotter

Tensions between Hamas and Alan Johnston’s captors seem to be coming to a head. Early Monday morning Hamas nabbed Army of Islam spokesman Khattab al-Maqdissi. Hamas said they grabbed him after he opened fire on members of the Executive Force. The Army of Islam said he was leaving dawn prayers.

A few hours later the Dagmush-controlled Army of Islam shot back, reportedly kidnapping 10 Hamas members, all students at the Islamic University in Gaza City. They warned they had damning video tapes that would bring shame to certain Hamas members. Hamas then announced it had begun arresting people responsible for kidnapping Johnston (see post below).

The Army of Islam has accused Hamas of killing one or perhaps two of its members in the past week. Hamas has reportedly surrounded the Dagmush controlled Al Sabra neighborhood and is checking everybody coming and going.

The BBC and British government continue to council restraint, but Hamas’ post-putsch swagger may have a mind of its own. The movement is being made to look like chumps by the Dagmush clan, which is undermining Hamas’ attempts to restore order in Gaza. If the Dagmush clan and the Army of Islam can stand up to Hamas with impunity, Hamas may start to look like something of a paper tiger to other Gaza clans, the last thing Hamas wants.