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The southern Gaza city saw one of the fiercest domestic fighting since the war began, between Hamas security personnel against gunmen from the al-Mujaida family - one of the largest families in the southern region.

According to Hamas, its security personnel conducted a raid in the district to arrest people alleged to be collaborating with Israeli authorities.

However, resident testimonies described an attack by around 50 men riding in five pickup trucks, carrying assault rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, who stormed the al-Mujaida neighborhood and fatally shot five individuals from the family.

Family members with weapons immediately retaliated, sparking hours-long clashes with intense gunfire.

Accounts shared via social media – challenging to confirm – indicate that over eleven Hamas personnel were eliminated, with some of their bodies allegedly dragged through the public areas.

Footage broadly distributed on the internet, that haven't been confirmed, purportedly display several injured casualties in combat uniforms, along with a voiceover stating they were members of Hamas's "military division".

Additional footage captured automatic weapon fire and an RPG striking a apartment block in the area.

Community leaders eventually mediated to mediate among the conflicting parties, leading to an handover of casualties designed to limit the intensification.

Although the exact motives are still uncertain, the clash has heightened anxiety among Gaza residents.

Numerous residents worry that proliferation of arms, hostilities between powerful families and Hamas's control over governance could escalate into scenes reminiscent of domestic warfare in a territory already gripped by displacement, destruction, and anxiety of additional disorder.

Observers propose that the extent of anger which Hamas confronts from its numerous adversaries – whom it has humiliated during its lengthy rule – is thought to be a key factor motivating the organization to oppose the peace proposal.

Furthermore, there is concern of deadly retaliation, of being killed in the public spaces, since the proposal requires Hamas to give up all arms.

Indications state that the commander of Hamas's combat unit in Gaza has voiced opposition regarding the proposal, which was presented recently.

The proposal includes a time limit for Hamas to comply or confront significant repercussions.