Israeli-Backed Militia Kills Two Hamas Operatives in Gaza as UN Reports Record Settler Violence in West Bank
Gaza and West Bank, January 10, 2026 – An Israeli-backed Palestinian militia announced the killing of two Hamas operatives in southern Gaza on January 7, marking a medium-severity escalation in internal factional clashes amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. In a separate development, the United Nations has documented the highest daily average of illegal Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank since records began in 2006, highlighting intensifying violence across multiple fronts in the Israeli-Palestinian theater.
The militia operation occurred on Wednesday, January 7, at 12:39 GMT in southern Gaza, a region that has been a hotspot for sporadic fighting since the collapse of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in late 2024. The militia, reportedly composed of Palestinian clans opposed to Hamas rule, claimed responsibility for neutralizing the operatives in what it described as a targeted action to counter Hamas efforts to reassert control in the area. Such groups have emerged as irregular allies of Israeli forces in Gaza, conducting operations against Hamas militants as part of a broader strategy to fragment the group's authority in the enclave.
Details on the incident remain limited, with the militia's report serving as the primary confirmation. No immediate casualties among civilians or militia members were reported, and Hamas has not publicly responded to the claim. This event underscores the fragmented security landscape in Gaza, where rival Palestinian factions, backed variably by Israel or external actors, continue to vie for influence more than two years after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel that ignited the current war.
Shifting to the West Bank, United Nations data reveals a sharp surge in settler violence. According to a statement from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 2025 saw over 1,800 documented attacks by illegal Israeli settlers against Palestinians, resulting in casualties or property damage. This figure translates to the highest daily average since OCHA began tracking such incidents in 2006. The Anadolu Agency report, citing OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke, emphasized that these attacks occurred across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, amid heightened tensions from the Gaza war's spillover effects.
OCHA's figures include assaults on Palestinian communities, damage to olive groves and homes, and disruptions to daily life. The UN has repeatedly called for Israel to protect Palestinian civilians and curb settler expansions, which international law deems illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Israeli authorities have acknowledged some incidents, leading to arrests, but critics argue enforcement remains inconsistent.
Background on the Broader Conflict
The incidents reflect persistent volatility in Israel and the Palestinian territories. The Gaza operation ties into Israel's multi-phase military campaign following Hamas's October 7, 2023, assault, which killed around 1,200 Israelis and took over 250 hostages. Israel's subsequent offensive has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, widespread destruction in Gaza, and a humanitarian crisis, with over 90% of Gaza's population displaced at various points.
In the West Bank, settler violence has accelerated since 2023, correlating with the Gaza war. According to verified UN and human rights reports up to late 2025, attacks often involve stone-throwing, arson, and physical assaults, sometimes under the protection of Israeli security forces. The West Bank, home to about 3 million Palestinians and 700,000 Israeli settlers, has seen a spike in Palestinian militant activity as well, including shootings and raids by groups like Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Israeli officials maintain that many incidents stem from Palestinian attacks on settlers, with over 200 Israelis killed in the West Bank since October 2023. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has defended settlement expansion as a security measure, while facing domestic and international pressure to rein in extremists.
Regional and International Context
These events occur against a backdrop of stalled peace efforts. Ceasefire talks mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. have faltered repeatedly, with Hamas demanding a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Israel insisting on demilitarization. In the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority's weakening grip has allowed militias to proliferate, complicating governance.
Internationally, the U.S. has vetoed multiple UN Security Council resolutions critical of Israel, while the European Union and others have imposed sanctions on violent settlers. The International Criminal Court continues investigations into alleged war crimes by all parties.
Outlook
The militia killing in Gaza could signal further proxy engagements aimed at eroding Hamas's hold, potentially drawing retaliatory strikes. Meanwhile, the UN's West Bank data may prompt renewed diplomatic pushes, though historical patterns suggest limited immediate change. As winter sets in, humanitarian needs in both regions intensify, with aid agencies warning of famine risks in Gaza and displacement in the West Bank.
The World Now will continue monitoring these developments for updates.
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