Amid the political activity surrounding the end of Israel's war of annihilation on the Gaza Strip, the issue of Palestinian factions' and families' weapons has resurfaced as one of the most contentious issues.
While international efforts to reach understandings continue, Palestinian figures emphasize that addressing the humanitarian catastrophe and ending the aggression are the priorities at this stage.
Alaa al-Din al-Aklouk, a member of the leadership of the "National Gathering of Palestinian Tribes, Clans, and Families," stated in a post on his Facebook page that the current priority is to solidify the ceasefire, end the war, and lift the siege, in addition to intensifying relief operations and commencing reconstruction. He indicated that these issues must precede any discussion of surrendering weapons.
Al-Aklouk criticized the performance of UN Special Coordinator Nikolay Mladenov, saying that he has failed to fulfill his assigned tasks of establishing a ceasefire and providing humanitarian assistance, and that he has become preoccupied with matters outside his mandate.
He affirms that, in his view, the weapons of the resistance do not belong solely to the Palestinian factions, but rather represent the weapons of the Palestinian people. He emphasizes that talk of surrendering these weapons cannot precede the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and the end of the occupation.
He adds that the international community, which has thus far failed to guarantee the entry of food and medicine into the Gaza Strip, cannot be a guarantor of security. He calls for exerting pressure to end the war and for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the areas they control within the Strip.
He also stresses that the clans of Gaza support political efforts aimed at reaching approaches regarding the use of weapons, but not on the basis of disarmament or surrender. Rather, they support efforts to de-escalate the situation and ultimately establish a fully sovereign Palestinian state.
Political expert Talal Abu Rukba, speaking to believes that the proliferation of weapons, whether among families or factions, requires a different approach that takes into account the preservation of civil peace and the Palestinian right to self-defense.
He emphasizes that the proliferation of weapons within society poses a threat to stability if it remains outside the control of a unified Palestinian authority. He also stresses that regulating the possession of weapons should not be confused with denying the Palestinian people's legitimate right to self-defense.
Abu Rukba explains that one of the Israeli government's key conditions following the cessation of military operations in Gaza is the disarmament of the factions and the Gaza Strip in general, linking reconstruction to security arrangements that include the handover of buffer zones. He notes that these conditions have political dimensions that extend beyond purely security considerations.
Gazans tell Al-Quds Al-Arabi: A social legacy… and warn of chaos
He adds that the continued proliferation of weapons among families without regulation could exacerbate existing problems, such as thuggery and theft of aid, and threaten to plunge society into internal conflict. He points out that the solution lies in a legitimate and unified Palestinian authority that monopolizes weapons and enforces the rule of law, thereby preserving internal security while simultaneously safeguarding the legitimate national right to resist the occupation. He
also warns that linking the reconstruction of Gaza to disarmament could be used as a means to perpetuate pressure on the population and impose new political realities, emphasizing that any future arrangements must strengthen stability and prevent the disintegration of the social fabric or the descent into internal clashes.
Family legacy
Khaled Sabah, a resident of the Gaza Strip, told Al-Quds Al-Arabi that he was surprised by the talk of families being asked to hand over their weapons before the factions, pointing out that for many families, weapons carry social and tribal dimensions that go beyond being merely a means of defense.
Sabah explained to that some families view weapons as part of their honor and social standing, which makes the idea of giving them up more complex than a simple administrative or security decision. He added that this view is deeply rooted in a number of families who have inherited the tradition of keeping weapons through generations. He also noted that the displacement that the Gaza Strip witnessed during the war demonstrated, in his words, the extent to which some families are attached to their weapons, saying that some of their members were keen to take their weapons with them during the displacement before caring for other possessions of material value, indicating the importance of weapons in the culture of some families.
Sabah believes that any discussion regarding the regulation or collection of weapons must take into account this social particularity, and consider the nature of the local community and the complexities of the issue, especially in light of the security conditions in the sector.
Weapon outside the law
Shujaa al-Safadi addresses the controversy surrounding family-owned firearms, stating that these weapons have frequently been associated with celebratory gunfire at weddings and funerals, as well as incidents of intimidation and assault against citizens. He adds that their use in family disputes has resulted in casualties and the violation of many families' rights.
He emphasizes that the continued proliferation of weapons outside the legal framework exacerbates the chaos and intensifies the suffering of residents already facing dire humanitarian conditions due to the war. He points out that gunfire at celebrations or during internal conflicts only serves to deepen human and social losses.
Al-Safadi stresses that disarming families is essential for maintaining civil peace, calling for the restriction of firearms possession to a single legal authority responsible for protecting citizens and enforcing the law. He suggests that individual licenses should be granted only in exceptional cases and after verifying that all legal requirements are met.
He believes that any weapon outside this framework poses a threat to public safety. The divergence of positions on this issue reflects the extent of the complexities surrounding the future of the Gaza Strip, given the entanglement of political, security and national considerations, which makes any future understandings contingent on the ability of the concerned parties to reach agreements that enjoy broad Palestinian acceptance.
