Israeli-Backed Palestinian Militia Reports Killing Two Hamas Operatives in Southern Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict
Rafah, Gaza – January 7, 2026 – An Israeli-backed Palestinian militia operating in southern Gaza announced on Wednesday that it had killed two Hamas operatives, marking a notable instance of internal friction within the Gaza Strip as the broader Israel-Hamas war enters its third year.
The militia, which has not been named in immediate reports but is described as aligned with Israeli interests, claimed responsibility for the targeted killings in the Rafah area. According to a statement covered by the Jerusalem Post, the action was part of efforts to counter Hamas influence in the region. The incident occurred on January 7, highlighting persistent security challenges in Gaza's southern zones, where Israeli military operations have intensified since late 2024.
Details remain limited, with the militia asserting the operatives were actively involved in Hamas military activities. No independent verification of the identities or circumstances has been reported yet, and Hamas has not issued an immediate response. This event underscores the complex dynamics in Gaza, where anti-Hamas factions, often supported logistically or operationally by Israel, have emerged as irregular forces challenging the group's dominance.
Escalating Internal Divisions in Gaza
The killings come against the backdrop of deepening rifts within Palestinian armed groups in Gaza. Since the onset of the current war on October 7, 2023—triggered by Hamas-led attacks that killed around 1,200 Israelis and took over 250 hostages—Israel has conducted extensive ground operations aimed at dismantling Hamas's military infrastructure. By early 2026, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have reported neutralizing thousands of militants and destroying much of Hamas's tunnel network, though the group retains operational capacity in pockets of the territory.
In southern Gaza, particularly Rafah, local clans and militias have increasingly clashed with Hamas. Reports from late 2025 indicated that families like the Abu Shabab clan in Rafah had turned against Hamas enforcers, citing grievances over forced conscription, extortion, and resource hoarding during the humanitarian crisis. Israel has reportedly provided indirect support to such groups, including intelligence sharing and occasional arms, as part of a strategy to foster "Gaza without Hamas." This approach echoes historical precedents, such as Israel's backing of the Hamas precursor, the Muslim Brotherhood offshoot, in the 1980s to counter the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), though current alliances are explicitly anti-Hamas.
The Jerusalem Post report aligns with a pattern of such incidents. In December 2025, similar militia actions in Khan Younis resulted in the deaths of several Hamas members, prompting reprisal attacks that killed at least five militia fighters. These skirmishes have complicated IDF operations, as forces navigate not only Hamas resistance but also localized power struggles. Gaza's health ministry, controlled by Hamas, often disputes casualty figures, claiming civilian deaths in such encounters, though international observers like the United Nations have struggled to verify claims amid restricted access.
Broader Context of the Israel-Hamas War
The Gaza conflict has exacted a devastating toll. Palestinian health authorities report over 45,000 deaths since October 2023, with the majority attributed to Israeli airstrikes and ground incursions. Israel maintains that most casualties are combatants, citing Hamas's use of civilian areas for military purposes. Ceasefire talks, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, have repeatedly stalled over issues like hostage releases and Israeli withdrawal timelines. As of January 2026, around 100 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 30 believed dead.
Israel's military campaign has shifted focus to southern Gaza after declaring much of the north under control. Rafah, once a refuge for over 1.5 million displaced Palestinians, has been a flashpoint, with IDF operations displacing hundreds of thousands more. Humanitarian aid flows remain constricted, exacerbating famine risks as warned by the World Food Programme.
Internationally, the conflict has drawn sharp divisions. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes, alongside Hamas leaders. The United States continues to provide military aid to Israel while pushing for de-escalation, amid growing domestic protests.
Outlook for Gaza's Fractured Landscape
This militia action signals potential for further fragmentation in Gaza's security environment. Analysts note that empowering local anti-Hamas forces could accelerate the group's erosion but risks creating new power vacuums or warlordism post-conflict. Israeli officials have expressed cautious optimism, with Defense Minister Israel Katz stating in recent briefings that such developments align with long-term goals of a demilitarized Gaza.
Hamas, meanwhile, has vowed retaliation against "collaborators," which could ignite broader clashes. As winter sets in, with aid convoys facing increased scrutiny at crossings like Kerem Shalom, the incident adds another layer to Gaza's volatile mix of survival, resistance, and rivalry.
The World Now will continue monitoring developments in this fast-evolving story.
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