🔗 Share this article

The southern Gaza city witnessed some of the most intense domestic fighting since hostilities commenced, pitting Hamas security forces against gunmen from the al-Mujaida clan - a major clans in the southern region.

According to Hamas officials, its security personnel conducted a raid in the neighborhood to arrest people suspected of collaborating with Israeli authorities.

Conversely, eyewitness reports recounted an offensive by around 50 men riding in multiple vehicles, carrying assault rifles and RPG launchers, who invaded the al-Mujaida neighborhood and eliminated five individuals from the family.

Clan fighters immediately retaliated, triggering extended confrontations with intense gunfire.

Accounts circulating on social media – challenging to confirm – claim that at least 11 Hamas personnel were killed, with some of their bodies supposedly paraded in the public areas.

Recordings broadly distributed online, which remain unverified, purportedly display numerous wounded casualties in combat uniforms, featuring a audio commentary alleging they belonged to Hamas's "Sahm Unit".

Separate video recorded bursts of gunfire and an RPG impacting a housing structure in the neighborhood.

Tribal mediators later intervened to facilitate talks between the conflicting parties, culminating in an handover of casualties aimed at control the deterioration.

While the precise reasons continue to be ambiguous, the confrontation has intensified anxiety among local population.

A significant number are concerned that widespread weapons, friction between influential clans and Hamas's grip on power could escalate into scenes similar to internal conflict in a area already gripped by population movement, devastation, and anxiety of increased chaos.

Analysts suggest that the extent of hostility which Hamas faces from its various rivals – some of whom have been marginalized during its lengthy rule – is believed to be a key factor influencing the group to decline the peace proposal.

Additionally, there is concern of violent retribution, of facing execution in the public spaces, since the agreement mandates Hamas to give up all arms.

Reports indicate that the head of Hamas's military wing in Gaza has expressed disagreement regarding the plan, which was announced recently.

The proposal includes a cut-off point for Hamas to agree or face severe consequences.