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The southern Gaza city saw some of the most intense internal confrontations since the conflict started, pitting Hamas security forces against gunmen from the al-Mujaida family - a major clans in southern Gaza.

As stated by Hamas officials, its forces carried out an operation in the district to detain people suspected of cooperating with Israeli authorities.

However, eyewitness reports described an attack 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 neighborhood and eliminated five members from the family.

Armed relatives quickly fought back, triggering prolonged confrontations with heavy gunfire.

Reports spreading through online platforms – difficult to independently verify – indicate that over eleven Hamas members were killed, with several corpses reportedly paraded in the streets.

Recordings extensively circulated online, without independent verification, appear to show several bloodied casualties in combat uniforms, accompanied by a audio commentary alleging they belonged to Hamas's "special forces unit".

Another clip showed bursts of gunfire and a rocket-propelled grenade impacting a apartment block in the district.

Local elders subsequently stepped in to facilitate talks between the two sides, leading to an transfer of remains aimed at limit the escalation.

Although the underlying causes remain unclear, the incident has intensified anxiety among Gaza residents.

Many are concerned that proliferation of arms, tensions between influential clans and Hamas's political dominance could develop into scenes resembling domestic warfare in a territory already affected by displacement, devastation, and concern of further lawlessness.

Experts indicate that the extent of hostility which Hamas faces from its numerous adversaries – some of whom have been marginalized during its lengthy rule – is thought to be a significant component driving the group to oppose the ceasefire plan.

Additionally, there is concern of bloody revenge, of meeting violent ends in the streets, since the agreement mandates Hamas to fully surrender weapons.

Reports indicate that the commander of Hamas's combat unit in Gaza has shown reluctance regarding the initiative, which was announced recently.

The ceasefire plan includes a deadline for Hamas to agree or encounter significant repercussions.