The southern Gaza city saw one of the fiercest domestic fighting since the conflict started, between Hamas security personnel against gunmen from the al-Mujaida clan - among the biggest clans in southern Gaza.
According to Hamas, its forces carried out an operation in the district to apprehend people alleged to be working with Israel.
Conversely, resident testimonies described an armed assault by approximately 50 men traveling in five pickup trucks, carrying assault rifles and RPG launchers, who stormed the al-Mujaida quarter and eliminated five members from the family.
Armed relatives immediately retaliated, triggering extended clashes with intense gunfire.
Reports shared via social media – hard to authenticate – suggest that more than 11 Hamas fighters were fatally wounded, with several corpses reportedly dragged through the public areas.
Videos broadly distributed on the internet, which remain unverified, purportedly display numerous injured casualties in military fatigues, accompanied by a voiceover alleging they pertained to Hamas's "Sahm Unit".
Additional footage showed automatic weapon fire and a rocket-propelled grenade hitting a housing structure in the area.
Local elders eventually mediated to mediate between the two sides, culminating in an handover of casualties aimed at limit the deterioration.
Even though the precise reasons continue to be ambiguous, the incident has intensified anxiety among Palestinians.
Numerous residents worry that widespread weapons, hostilities between major families and Hamas's control over governance could spiral into circumstances reminiscent of domestic warfare in a area already affected by population movement, devastation, and anxiety of increased chaos.
Experts propose that the level of hostility which Hamas confronts from its many opponents – some of whom have been marginalized during its 17 years governance – is considered a major element motivating the movement to decline the peace proposal.
Moreover, there is apprehension of bloody revenge, of facing execution in the streets, since the proposal requires Hamas to completely disarm.
Reports indicate that the commander of Hamas's military wing in Gaza has shown reluctance regarding the plan, which was announced recently.
The agreement includes a time limit for Hamas to agree or face severe consequences.
