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No fewer than 27 people have been claimed in fierce clashes between Hamas fighters and armed members of the Dughmush family in the Gaza urban area, marking among the deadliest internal confrontations since the conclusion of extensive Israeli campaigns in the territory.

Disguised Hamas fighters traded gunfire with family militants near the city's healthcare center, according to observers.

Official Account

A top authority in the Hamas-controlled interior ministry stated that security forces blockaded them and engaged in heavy fighting to capture them. The ministry reported that eight its fighters were killed in "a militant attack by a militia".

Healthcare officials confirmed that 19 Dughmush family fighters and 8 Hamas militants had been killed since fighting began on Saturday.

On-the-Ground Testimonies

Observers reported that the clashes broke out in the Tel al-Hawa district in the southern part of Gaza City after a Hamas force of more than 300 fighters proceeded to assault a apartment building where Dughmush fighters were entrenched.

Civilians described scenes of panic as many residents fled their homes under sustained firearm exchanges, with numerous individuals having been forced to move frequently during the hostilities.

"In this instance people weren't fleeing Israeli assaults," one resident stated. "They were fleeing from their fellow Palestinians."

Historical Tensions

The Dughmush family, one of Gaza's most prominent clans, has consistently experienced a tense relationship with Hamas, and its militant members have confronted the movement on numerous times in the previous years.

The Hamas-controlled interior ministry declared its units were attempting to reestablish control, alerting that "any armed activity not within the system of the Palestinian resistance" would be handled strictly.

Contradictory Versions

The two parties traded accusations over who initiated the violence for starting the conflict.

Hamas earlier said that Dughmush fighters eliminated 2 its fighters and hurt five more personnel, prompting the group to launch an operation against them.

However, a source from the Dughmush family stated to regional press that Hamas units had come to a building that previously functioned as the Jordanian healthcare facility, where the clan had found sanctuary after their dwellings in the al-Sabra area were demolished in the previous Israeli assault.

The source alleged that Hamas sought to evict the tribe from the premises to establish a new base for its personnel there.

Broader Situation

Hamas has reactivated around 7,000 fighters of its armed forces to reinforce authority over Gaza regions previously evacuated by Israeli military, according to regional insiders.

Information indicates that Hamas combat groups have already deployed across multiple areas, with certain members in plain attire and the remainder in the blue attire of the Gaza law enforcement. The Hamas press division disputed that it was stationing combatants in urban zones.