Hundreds of Palestinian took part in a violent clash at a mosque in the Gaza town of Khan Yunis on Saturday, leaving nine people wounded.

According to The Associated Press, the fighting broke out when local Hamas authorities tried to replace the regular preacher, who is not associated with the ruling group, with one of their own religious leaders.

The two sides at first battled each other with fists, rocks and knives, but when armed Hamas security forces arrived, an exchange of gunfire quickly broke out.

Two of the wounded were listed in critical condition.