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The southern Gaza city experienced one of the fiercest internal clashes since hostilities commenced, between Hamas security personnel against gunmen from the al-Mujaida family - among the biggest clans in southern Gaza.

According to Hamas officials, its forces carried out an operation in the neighborhood to apprehend people alleged to be collaborating with Israel.

On the other hand, local accounts described an offensive by around 50 men using five pickup trucks, armed with automatic weapons and RPG launchers, who invaded the al-Mujaida quarter and eliminated five individuals from the clan.

Family members with weapons rapidly responded, triggering extended gun battles with sustained exchanges of fire.

Information shared via online platforms – difficult to independently verify – indicate that at least 11 Hamas fighters were killed, with some of their bodies supposedly paraded in the public areas.

Recordings extensively circulated on the internet, which remain unverified, appear to show several wounded casualties in combat uniforms, accompanied by a narration stating they pertained to Hamas's "Sahm Unit".

Additional footage captured bursts of gunfire and a rocket-propelled grenade striking a housing structure in the area.

Community leaders subsequently stepped in to negotiate among the opposing groups, resulting in an exchange of bodies designed to limit the escalation.

Even though the underlying causes remain unclear, the clash has increased anxiety among Gaza residents.

A significant number worry that widespread weapons, hostilities between powerful families and Hamas's political dominance could escalate into circumstances reminiscent of internal conflict in a region already experiencing population movement, damage, and fear of additional disorder.

Analysts suggest that the level of resentment which Hamas encounters from its numerous adversaries – groups that have been suppressed during its 17 years governance – is believed to be a key factor driving the group to decline the truce agreement.

Additionally, there is apprehension of bloody revenge, of meeting violent ends in the public spaces, since the proposal demands Hamas to fully surrender weapons.

Reports state that the head of Hamas's armed division in Gaza has expressed disagreement regarding the proposal, which was presented recently.

The agreement includes a time limit for Hamas to comply or encounter severe consequences.