Deadly Fighting Erupt Between the Hamas movement and Palestinian Family Group in the Gaza Strip
The southern Gaza city witnessed one of the fiercest internal confrontations since the conflict started, pitting Hamas security personnel against armed members from the al-Mujaida family - a major clans in the southern region.
According to Hamas, its security personnel conducted a raid in the district to arrest people alleged to be working with Israeli authorities.
However, resident testimonies detailed an offensive by around 50 men using five pickup trucks, equipped with automatic weapons and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, who invaded the al-Mujaida neighborhood and fatally shot five members from the clan.
Family members with weapons quickly fought back, triggering prolonged confrontations with heavy gunfire.
Reports circulating on online platforms ā challenging to confirm ā suggest that more than 11 Hamas personnel were killed, with several corpses allegedly paraded in the public areas.
Videos extensively circulated on the internet, that haven't been confirmed, purportedly display several bloodied casualties in military fatigues, accompanied by a audio commentary claiming they were members of Hamas's "military division".
Additional footage recorded sustained shooting and a rocket-propelled grenade hitting a housing structure in the neighborhood.
Community leaders eventually mediated to negotiate among the conflicting parties, leading to an exchange of bodies designed to contain the deterioration.
While the underlying causes remain unclear, the confrontation has intensified concern among local population.
Numerous residents are concerned that abundance of firearms, hostilities between influential clans and Hamas's control over governance could develop into circumstances reminiscent of internal conflict in a area already affected by forced relocation, damage, and anxiety of further lawlessness.
Experts suggest that the extent of resentment which Hamas faces from its various rivals ā whom it has humiliated during its 17 years governance ā is believed to be a significant component motivating the group to reject the truce agreement.
Furthermore, there is concern of deadly retaliation, of facing execution in the public spaces, since the agreement demands Hamas to fully surrender weapons.
Reports suggest that the head of Hamas's combat unit in Gaza has shown reluctance regarding the plan, which was announced recently.
The proposal includes a cut-off point for Hamas to agree or confront serious outcomes.
