Saleh al-Jafarawi, a prominent Gazan social media activist widely known by his online persona "Mr. FAFO," was killed in Gaza on October 12, 2025. Initial reports from the ground indicate he was shot dead by members of the Dughmosh clan, an armed group in Gaza. His body was subsequently transported to Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital.
Al-Jafarawi had become one of the most recognizable faces associated with Hamas propaganda since the start of the war, using his social media platforms to document the conflict from a pro-Hamas perspective. His killing highlights the escalating and violent internal power struggles within Gaza, where Hamas is working to reassert its authority following the recent ceasefire.
Hamas security forces have been actively reasserting control in parts of Gaza no longer occupied by Israeli troops. The group's interior ministry announced a widespread "field campaign" across the Strip to locate and arrest individuals it accuses of collaborating with Israel and participating in assassinations of resistance members.
The clashes that led to al-Jafarawi's death are part of this broader conflict. Sources confirm that Hamas forces surrounded the Dughmosh family's neighborhood in Gaza City's Sabra area on Friday night. These engagements have been violent, resulting in several deaths, including Muhammad Imad Aql, the son of a senior Hamas military commander. As of Sunday, clashes in the area were reported to be ongoing, underscoring the serious challenge that some clans pose to Hamas's rule.
The internal security situation in Gaza has been severely complicated by Israel's admitted policy of arming local militias and clans to undermine Hamas. These Israeli-backed groups have directly clashed with Hamas security forces.
The most prominent of these is the "Popular Forces" (also known as the "Anti-Terror Service"), a militia led by Yasser Abu Shabab. This group, which has a history of criminal activity including looting aid, has publicly challenged Hamas's authority. A commander of the group, Hussam al-Astal, posted a message on social media taunting Hamas, stating, "there is no Hamas from today onward". The group has acknowledged that Hamas has killed over 50 of its fighters. In southern Gaza, these anti-Hamas forces have reportedly relocated to areas near Israeli forces for protection.
In response to the rise of armed gangs and lawlessness, the Hamas-run Interior Ministry formed a special unit known as the "Arrow Unit" or "Arrow Force". This plainclothed force, comprised of police officers and volunteers, is tasked with hunting down looters and those suspected of collaborating with Israel. A high-level security source within the resistance stated that Israeli intelligence often directs agents to engage in looting as a cover for security operations, making the Arrow Unit's role crucial for Hamas's internal security.
The unit has conducted major operations against gangs, including an attack on Yasser Abu Shabab's group in November 2024 that killed about 20 of its members, including Abu Shabab's brother. A member of the Arrow Unit stated that their goal is to stop those who steal and resell aid on the black market and to deter people from communicating with the Israeli occupation.