Deadly Clashes Erupt Involving the Hamas movement and Gaza-based Family Group in Gaza
Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza experienced one of the fiercest internal clashes since the conflict started, pitting Hamas security forces against gunmen from the al-Mujaida clan - a major clans in the southern region.
As stated by Hamas, its security personnel conducted a raid in the neighborhood to apprehend people alleged to be cooperating with Israel.
Conversely, resident testimonies described an offensive by approximately 50 men traveling in multiple vehicles, armed with automatic weapons and RPG launchers, who entered forcefully the al-Mujaida quarter and fatally shot five individuals from the family.
Clan fighters quickly fought back, sparking extended clashes with intense gunfire.
Reports circulating on online platforms – challenging to confirm – suggest that over eleven Hamas personnel were killed, with several corpses allegedly dragged through the streets.
Videos widely shared online, which remain unverified, purportedly display several bloodied casualties in military fatigues, featuring a narration alleging they belonged to Hamas's "Sahm Unit".
Additional footage captured sustained shooting and a rocket-propelled grenade impacting a apartment block in the district.
Community leaders later intervened to negotiate between the two sides, resulting in an transfer of remains aimed at contain the intensification.
Although the exact motives remain unclear, the clash has intensified anxiety among Palestinians.
A significant number worry that widespread weapons, hostilities between powerful families and Hamas's political dominance could spiral into circumstances resembling civil war in a territory already gripped by displacement, devastation, and concern of additional disorder.
Analysts indicate that the level of resentment which Hamas encounters from its various rivals – some of whom have been marginalized during its seventeen-year in power – is believed to be a major element influencing the group to decline the ceasefire plan.
Moreover, there is concern of deadly retaliation, of facing execution in the public spaces, since the plan requires Hamas to fully surrender weapons.
Reports suggest that the leader of Hamas's military wing in Gaza has voiced opposition regarding the initiative, which was announced recently.
The ceasefire plan includes a cut-off point for Hamas to agree or face serious outcomes.
