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Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza experienced one of the fiercest internal confrontations since the conflict started, pitting Hamas security forces against armed members from the al-Mujaida clan - a major clans in the southern region.

As stated by Hamas officials, its forces carried out an operation in the district to arrest people accused of collaborating with Israel.

On the other hand, eyewitness reports recounted an armed assault by approximately fifty armed individuals using multiple vehicles, carrying assault rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, who entered forcefully the al-Mujaida neighborhood and fatally shot five individuals from the clan.

Armed relatives immediately retaliated, sparking prolonged confrontations with heavy exchanges of fire.

Reports shared via social media – challenging to confirm – indicate that more than 11 Hamas personnel were eliminated, with several corpses allegedly paraded in the public areas.

Videos extensively circulated online, that haven't been confirmed, purportedly display numerous bloodied casualties in combat uniforms, along with a narration alleging they pertained to Hamas's "Sahm Unit".

Additional footage showed automatic weapon fire and an RPG striking a housing structure in the neighborhood.

Community leaders subsequently stepped in to mediate among the opposing groups, leading to an transfer of remains designed to contain the escalation.

Although the exact motives are still uncertain, the clash has increased anxiety among Palestinians.

Numerous residents fear that proliferation of arms, tensions between powerful families and Hamas's control over governance could spiral into scenes similar to internal conflict in a territory already affected by population movement, damage, and anxiety of additional disorder.

Experts propose that the degree of anger which Hamas encounters from its numerous adversaries – some of whom have been marginalized during its lengthy governance – is believed to be a key factor influencing the group to oppose the truce agreement.

Moreover, there is fear of deadly retaliation, of meeting violent ends in the streets, since the plan requires Hamas to fully surrender weapons.

Reports state that the commander of Hamas's combat unit in Gaza has voiced opposition regarding the plan, which was unveiled recently.

The proposal includes a cut-off point for Hamas to agree or face significant repercussions.