A t least 27 people have been killed in fierce clashes between Hamas security forces and armed members of the Dughmush family in Gaza City, in one of the most violent internal confrontations since the end of major Israeli operations in the enclave.

Medical teams at an Israeli hospital awaiting the arrival of hostages expected to be released from Gaza are "prepared for anything," Noa Eliakim Raz, head of the Returning Hostages Unit at the Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, told NBC News.

American-Israeli activist Hillel Fuld, whose brother was killed by a terrorist in 2018, speaks in the aftermath of all 20 living Israeli hostages being released by Hamas.

Tensions rose sharply and quickly after two members of Hamas's elite forces were shot dead by gunmen from the powerful Dughmush clan in Gaza City's Sabra neighbourhood. One of them was the son of a senior commander in Hamas's armed wing, Imad Aqel, who now heads the group's military intelligence.

Hamas is reasserting control of parts of Gaza not occupied by Israeli forces as the ceasefire takes hold – amid continuing uncertainty about security in the territory if the group is disarmed.

Hamas released all 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza on Monday. The bodies of the remaining 28 dead hostages are also expected to be handed over as part of the deal, although the exact

The remaining13 living hostages were handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas.Oct. 13, 2025 Get more news © 2025 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Hamas had been given a greenlight for internal security operations it is conducting in the Gaza Strip, saying the group wants "to stop the problems" and "we gave them approval for a period of time".