Hamas has recalled about 7,000 members of its security forces to reassert control over areas of Gaza recently vacated by Israeli troops, according to local sources.
The Palestinian group also appointed five new governors, all with military backgrounds, some of whom previously commanded brigades in its armed wing.
The mobilisation order was reportedly issued via phone calls and text messages instructing fighters to report within 24 hours to cleanse Gaza of outlaws and collaborators with Israel.
Reports suggest that armed Hamas units have been deployed across several districts, some wearing civilian clothes while others don the blue uniforms of the Gaza police.
Tensions rose sharply after two members of Hamas's elite forces were shot dead by gunmen from the powerful Dughmush clan in Gaza City's Sabra neighbourhood. This incident, particularly due to one victim being the son of a senior commander in Hamas's military intelligence, has heightened fears of a potential armed response from Hamas.
As a reaction, Hamas surrounded a large area where over 300 Dughmush gunmen were believed to be entrenching themselves. This led to the killing of one clan member and the kidnapping of another 30.
The violence unfolds against a backdrop of uncertainty regarding Gaza's governance post-conflict, amidst a looming peace plan calling for Hamas's disarmament.
An official commented on the necessity of security measures to prevent chaos, emphasizing that their weapons are vital for resistance against what they deem targeted oppression by Israeli forces.
The residents of Gaza find themselves amidst fears of escalating violence, with the possibility of internal strife jeopardizing an already fractured community.
