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The southern Gaza city witnessed some of the most intense domestic fighting since the conflict started, pitting Hamas security forces against armed members from the al-Mujaida family - one of the largest families in southern Gaza.

According to Hamas, its forces conducted a raid in the district to apprehend people accused of cooperating with Israel.

However, eyewitness reports described an offensive by approximately fifty armed individuals using multiple vehicles, equipped with automatic weapons and RPG launchers, who stormed the al-Mujaida quarter and fatally shot five members from the family.

Armed relatives quickly fought back, initiating prolonged clashes with sustained exchanges of fire.

Accounts spreading through social media – hard to authenticate – claim that more than 11 Hamas fighters were fatally wounded, with several corpses reportedly paraded in the public areas.

Recordings extensively circulated on the internet, that haven't been confirmed, appear to show several bloodied casualties in military fatigues, along with a audio commentary stating they belonged to Hamas's "special forces unit".

Separate video showed bursts of gunfire and a rocket-propelled grenade striking a residential building in the district.

Community leaders eventually mediated to mediate between the conflicting parties, culminating in an handover of casualties aimed at limit the escalation.

Although the underlying causes remain unclear, the confrontation has heightened anxiety among local population.

Numerous residents are concerned that proliferation of arms, friction between major families and Hamas's control over governance could spiral into circumstances similar to civil war in a territory already gripped by forced relocation, damage, and concern of increased chaos.

Experts indicate that the degree of anger which Hamas confronts from its numerous adversaries – whom it has humiliated during its lengthy governance – is considered a major element driving the movement to decline the ceasefire plan.

Moreover, there is fear of violent retribution, of facing execution in the public spaces, since the plan demands Hamas to completely disarm.

Reports indicate that the leader of Hamas's armed division in Gaza has shown reluctance regarding the initiative, which was unveiled recently.

The agreement includes a cut-off point for Hamas to comply or confront serious outcomes.