News - Middle East: Israel is cooperating with three Gaza-based armed groups, including two Fatah-affiliated armed groups in Gaza City and Khan Yunis, which receive the regime’s support and funding from the Palestinian Authority, according to Ynet.

The new groups are led by Rami Khalas in Gaza City and Yasser Khanidek in Khan Yunis. Khalas is active in the Shejaiya neighborhood, while Khanidek’s group operates in southern Gaza—both areas where Israeli forces are deployed under “Operation Gideon’s Chariots.”

According to Ynet, the Palestinian Authority - the Fatah-controlled government body that exercises partial control over the Israeli-occupied West Bank - started paying the groups' salaries last month, preceding Israel's recent cooperation with them.

Both groups have long-standing rivalries with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas. The Khalas clan has long been hostile toward Hamas, stemming from confrontations between the two groups after Hamas took control over Gaza in 2007.

The Barbakh clan has recently resurfaced. Last week, members of the same family were reportedly involved in armed attacks on Khan Yunis' Nasser Medical Complex, further suggesting the group’s expanded operational role under Israeli protection.

The Daesh-linked Abu Shabab group—first exposed weeks ago as operating with Israeli backing in Rafah—remains active in the southern “buffer zone.”

According to Channel 13, Israel is arming and equipping these groups with weapons, vehicles, and logistical aid, while deploying them in operations such as house raids and direct clashes with Hamas.

Similar to the Abu Shabab group in southern Gaza, the newly uncovered northern militia operates from bases positioned close to Israeli military positions.

This provides the strongest indication to date of Israel's escalating tactic to divide the Palestinian society internally, leveraging allied armed groups to combat Hamas while systematically dismantling Gaza's governance and social infrastructure.

On Wednesday, Hamas gave Yasser Jihad Abu Shabab, leader of a Daesh-linked group, 10 days to surrender to authorities over ties to the Israeli regime.

Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, slammed Abu Shabab for leading a network of collaborators recruited by Israel to sow chaos in the Gaza Strip.

Press TV