Fierce fighting erupted in Gaza on Sunday between Hamas forces and a powerful local clan, leaving dozens dead just hours before the anticipated release of hostages from the war-torn enclave, according to local media reports.
Witnesses and residents said the confrontation broke out in Gaza City after Hamas accused members of the Doghmush clan, a heavily armed family known for its past disputes with the group, of attacking its personnel.
The Doghmush clan, in turn, claimed that Hamas had violated the ongoing ceasefire and used the lull in hostilities to settle scores over alleged ties between the clan and Israeli authorities.
Medical sources reported that hospitals in Gaza were overwhelmed as casualties poured in, with many of the victims being civilians caught in the crossfire. The clashes reportedly involved exchanges of gunfire and the use of heavy weapons in densely populated neighborhoods.
The violence underscored deep internal divisions within Gaza even as international mediators push for a fragile truce to hold and for hostages to be released safely. Analysts warn that renewed factional violence could complicate efforts to stabilize the region and undermine public trust in ceasefire arrangements.
As of late Sunday, Hamas security forces were said to have regained control of key areas, imposing curfews and setting up checkpoints to prevent further escalation. There were no immediate comments from international humanitarian agencies, but residents expressed growing fear that the fighting could spark a wider wave of intra-Palestinian conflict.
