Deadly Combat Break Out Involving the Hamas movement and Gaza-based Family Group in Gaza
The southern Gaza city witnessed some of the most intense internal confrontations since the conflict started, between Hamas security forces against gunmen from the al-Mujaida family - one of the largest families in the southern region.
As stated by Hamas, its security personnel carried out an operation in the area to arrest individuals suspected of collaborating with Israeli authorities.
On the other hand, local accounts described an offensive by approximately 50 men riding in five pickup trucks, armed with automatic weapons and RPG launchers, who entered forcefully the al-Mujaida quarter and fatally shot five individuals from the family.
Armed relatives immediately retaliated, sparking hours-long confrontations with intense exchanges of fire.
Reports spreading through online platforms – challenging to confirm – suggest that more than 11 Hamas members were eliminated, with several corpses allegedly paraded in the streets.
Videos widely shared online, which remain unverified, purportedly display multiple injured casualties in combat uniforms, along with a voiceover claiming they belonged to Hamas's "Sahm Unit".
Additional footage captured bursts of gunfire and a rocket-propelled grenade impacting a apartment block in the area.
Community leaders eventually mediated to negotiate among the two sides, culminating in an handover of casualties aimed at limit the escalation.
Even though the exact motives remain unclear, the confrontation has heightened anxiety among Gaza residents.
Many fear that widespread weapons, hostilities between major families and Hamas's grip on power could spiral into situations reminiscent of domestic warfare in a area already gripped by displacement, devastation, and concern of additional disorder.
Analysts propose that the degree of anger which Hamas faces from its many opponents – whom it has humiliated during its seventeen-year governance – is thought to be a major element influencing the organization to decline the truce agreement.
Moreover, there is apprehension of bloody revenge, of facing execution in the streets, since the agreement demands Hamas to give up all arms.
Indications state that the commander of Hamas's combat unit in Gaza has expressed disagreement regarding the proposal, which was announced recently.
The ceasefire plan includes a time limit for Hamas to agree or confront severe consequences.
