Hamas cracks down on Salafi groups in Gaza Strip

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The ruling Hamas group has launched a crackdown on radical Salafi groups following a series of unclaimed bombings in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas, an Islamic militant group that has ruled Gaza with an iron fist for the past eight years considers the more radical Salafists a threat. Salafists accuse Hamas of being too soft on Israel and failing to adequately impose religious law.

On Monday morning, a bomb damaged a wall at a security site run by Hamas’ armed wing. There were no casualties.

Hamas has deployed masked gunmen in Salafi strongholds, set up checkpoints and destroyed a makeshift mosque that it says was used by Salafists to launch attacks.

The Salafists have demanded that Hamas free all detained supporters, saying “all options are open” if it doesn’t comply.