Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Israel-backed militia kills two Hamas operatives in Gaza
A group called the Popular Forces, which is supported by Israel, said they killed two members of Hamas in a place called Rafah in Gaza.
They also caught one more person.
Hamas didn't say anything about this.
The Popular Forces are one of the groups that are against Hamas and operate in areas controlled by Israel.
The leader of this group is now Ghassan Duhine, who took over after the previous leader, Yasser Abu Shabab, was killed.
These groups are not very popular with the local people because they work with Israel.
Most of Gaza is still controlled by Hamas, but Israel controls more than half of Gaza.
There is no plan for Israel to leave these areas soon.
The Popular Forces, an Israeli-backed Palestinian militia, killed two Hamas operatives and detained a third in Rafah, southern Gaza.
Hamas declined to comment on the claim, which Reuters couldn't independently authenticate.
The Popular Forces are the largest group operating in Israel-controlled areas and have reported more recruits since the October deal took effect.
The group's leader, Ghassan Duhine, vowed no let up in the fight against Hamas after the previous leader, Yasser Abu Shabab, was killed in December.
The emergence of such groups adds pressure on Hamas and complicates efforts to stabilize and unify Gaza, which has been shattered by two years of war.
- Who
- The Popular Forces, an Israeli-backed Palestinian militia, killed two Hamas operatives and detained a third.
- What
- A raid was carried out by the Popular Forces in Rafah, southern Gaza.
- When
- The incident occurred on January 7.
- Where
- The raid took place in Rafah, a territory under Israeli control.
- Why
- The Popular Forces aim to challenge Hamas' control in areas under Israeli military control.
- Militia Name
- Popular Forces
- Location of Incident
- Rafah, southern Gaza
- Number of Hamas Operatives Killed
- 2
- Number of Hamas Operatives Detained
- 1
- Leader of Popular Forces
- Ghassan Duhine
- Previous Leader of Popular Forces
- Yasser Abu Shabab
- Date of Incident
- January 7
- Hamas Control in Gaza
- Nearly all of Gaza's 2 million people live in Hamas-held areas