Deadly Combat Break Out Involving Hamas and Palestinian Family Group in Gaza

Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza witnessed one of the fiercest domestic fighting since the war began, between Hamas security forces against gunmen from the al-Mujaida clan - among the biggest clans in the southern region.

As stated by Hamas, its forces conducted a raid in the area to apprehend individuals suspected of working with Israel.

However, resident testimonies described an armed assault by around 50 men traveling in five pickup trucks, equipped with automatic weapons and RPG launchers, who invaded the al-Mujaida neighborhood and fatally shot five individuals from the family.

Armed relatives immediately retaliated, sparking hours-long gun battles with intense exchanges of fire.

Reports spreading through social media – difficult to independently verify – suggest that at least 11 Hamas fighters were fatally wounded, with several corpses reportedly paraded in the public areas.

Videos broadly distributed online, that haven't been confirmed, purportedly display several bloodied bodies in military fatigues, featuring a narration claiming they were members of Hamas's "special forces unit".

Separate video showed automatic weapon fire and a rocket-propelled grenade striking a residential building in the neighborhood.

Tribal mediators eventually mediated to negotiate among the conflicting parties, leading to an handover of casualties aimed at control the intensification.

Although the exact motives are still uncertain, the confrontation has heightened apprehension among Palestinians.

Numerous residents fear that proliferation of arms, friction between powerful families and Hamas's control over governance could develop into circumstances reminiscent of civil war in a territory already affected by population movement, damage, and fear of additional disorder.

Observers indicate that the degree of anger which Hamas faces from its numerous adversaries – whom it has humiliated during its 17 years rule – is considered a key factor motivating the group to reject the truce agreement.

Additionally, there is fear of deadly retaliation, of facing execution in the public spaces, since the proposal mandates Hamas to give up all arms.

Reports suggest that the commander of Hamas's military wing in Gaza has expressed disagreement regarding the initiative, which was announced recently.

The proposal includes a deadline for Hamas to comply or face significant repercussions.