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The southern Gaza city experienced some of the most intense internal clashes since the war began, pitting Hamas security personnel against gunmen from the al-Mujaida family - one of the largest clans in southern Gaza.

Per Hamas, its forces carried out an operation in the area to apprehend people suspected of collaborating with Israel.

However, eyewitness reports recounted an armed assault by around fifty armed individuals traveling in five pickup trucks, carrying automatic weapons and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, who entered forcefully the al-Mujaida quarter and killed five members from the clan.

Armed relatives immediately retaliated, sparking extended confrontations with intense exchanges of fire.

Information spreading through social media – challenging to confirm – suggest that more than 11 Hamas fighters were fatally wounded, with several corpses allegedly pulled along the streets.

Videos extensively circulated on the internet, which remain unverified, purportedly display multiple bloodied casualties in combat uniforms, along with a audio commentary claiming they were members of Hamas's "military division".

Another clip recorded sustained shooting and an RPG striking a residential building in the district.

Local elders later intervened to facilitate talks among the two sides, leading to an transfer of remains designed to limit the deterioration.

While the underlying causes continue to be ambiguous, the confrontation has heightened anxiety among local population.

A significant number worry that widespread weapons, tensions between influential clans and Hamas's political dominance could develop into circumstances similar to civil war in a area already experiencing population movement, destruction, and anxiety of additional disorder.

Observers indicate that the degree of hostility which Hamas encounters from its numerous adversaries – some of whom have been marginalized during its lengthy in power – is considered a major element influencing the organization to reject the ceasefire plan.

Moreover, there is apprehension of deadly retaliation, of being killed in the public spaces, since the agreement mandates Hamas to fully surrender weapons.

Sources indicate that the head of Hamas's armed division in Gaza has expressed disagreement regarding the initiative, which was presented recently.

The proposal includes a time limit for Hamas to agree or encounter severe consequences.