Background
Societal breakdown in Gaza
The raid came amid increasing societal breakdown in the Gaza Strip, caused by the Gaza war (2023–present), that has seen the emergence of new armed groups, including armed clans. The Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip has resulted in Hamas reportedly losing around 80% of its territorial control, leaving a power vacuum and a collapsed security situation. [2]
As of 30 September 2025, up to a dozen new armed groups opposed to Hamas have emerged in Gaza. [3] According to a report by ACLED, more than 220 intra-Palestinian violent incidents have occurred since October 2023, resulting in the deaths of around 400 Palestinians. Furthermore, the report states that looting of aid, theft, and violent activity by gangs, clans, and armed groups have become widespread, and that 70% of these incidents have occurred after Israel broke the 2025 ceasefire with its attacks in March. [4]
Al-Mujaida clan–Hamas tensions
The Fatah-affiliated al-Mujaida clan is based in a Khan Yunis neighborhood of the same name, the al-Mujaida Quarter, which has been described as its "stronghold". [1] Two months prior to the raid, Hamas operatives allegedly shot and wounded a member of the clan in Khan Yunis, who later died. [1] In CSF leader Hossam al-Astal's version of events, Hamas operatives shot several clan members in the leg for unclear reasons. [5] In any case, this prompted clan gunmen to kidnap two Hamas members, one of whom served as a bodyguard to Yahya Sinwar. [1] Hamas has claimed that the clan is collaborating with Israel and stealing humanitarian aid. [5]
In September 2025, al-Mujaida clan members killed two members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, and seized their weapons. The clan refused to hand over the suspects to Hamas security forces. [1]
Raid
The raid began before dawn, [1] [5] reportedly during Fajr prayers, [6] with Asharq Al-Awsat reporting that witnesses said around 250 Hamas gunmen stormed residences in the al-Mujaida Quarter. [1] However, the BBC reported that local accounts described 50 Hamas gunmen participating in the assault. [7] Residents of Khan Yunis said the raid was targeting clan members who had participated in the September killings. [1] Hamas said it was targeting clan members accused of collaboration with Israel. [6]
The Times of Israel , citing al-Astal, instead described the raid as having taken place in the al-Mawasi area, adjacent to Khan Yunis. [5]
According to local accounts, the Hamas operatives initially killed five al-Mujaida clan members when they arrived in the neighborhood, but the clan fought back, sparking hours-long clashes with heavy gunfire. During the clashes, 11 Hamas operatives were reportedly killed by the clan and their bodies were dragged through the streets. [7] [6] Unverified videos circulating online show several bloodied bodies in military fatigues apparently belonging to Hamas' Arrow Unit. Another videoclip showed bursts of gunfire and an RPG hitting a residential building in the al-Mujaida Quarter. [7] Hamas said two of their fighters died in the clashes with the al-Mujaida clan. [1]
According to al-Astal, CSF operatives arrived on the scene to defend the al-Mujaida clan, and "thwarted" the Hamas raid with assistance from IDF air support. He said 11 Hamas operatives were killed, one clan member was killed, and no CSF operatives were killed. Per al-Astal's account, this would be the first case of a Hamas attack inside Gaza being repelled by a Palestinian armed group, albeit with IDF assistance. [5]
Local medical sources said Israeli warplanes struck the area during the battle, killing at least 16 Hamas men, civilians, and two clan members. [1] According to al-Astal, the IDF sought to help the al-Mujaida clan and launched airstrikes on Hamas positions. [6] In total, the IDF said it killed around 20 Hamas members during the clashes. [5]
The IDF said that Hamas operatives were using children as human shields during the fighting, [6] publishing footage that purported to show them dragging along children. The IDF said the operatives were killed in separate strikes minutes after the videos were taken, without harm caused to the children. [5]
Injured combatants from both sides were reportedly taken to Nasser Hospital for treatment. [6] Clan members said one of their wounded men was fatally shot inside the hospital while he was receiving treatment. [1] According to The Jerusalem Post , this man was one of two clan members lured to a different part of the hospital by Hamas operatives who aimed to kill them. The other clan member apparently survived. [6]
End of the fighting and aftermath
The BBC reported that "local elders" later intervened to mediate between the two sides, leading to an exchange of dead bodies. [7]
Asharq al-Awsat reported that both Hamas and the al-Mujaida clan took captives during the battle, with reports later of an exchange of dead bodies and detainees brokered by other clans and community figures. [1]
KAN, the Israeli state broadcaster, reported that Hamas still held six clan members and is planning to execute them. [6]
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Hamas government 
Al-Mujaida clan 
Counter-Terrorism Strike Force 
Israel 
