Israel Pumps Weapons into Gaza's Rival Camps Against Hamas
Equipping Clans in Gaza With Military Aid Provided by Israel
In a eyebrow-raising move, Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, ramped up his efforts in the Gaza Strip by arming non-Hamas Palestinian groups. This drastic action, defended as a means to safeguard Israeli soldiers, has sparked controversy and raised concerns about potential violent fallout.
According to reports, the Israeli military has provided AK-47 rifles to a small militia led by a notorious figure named Jassir Abu Shabab, based in the Rafah region of southern Gaza. Israel's motive appears to be weakening Hamas by nurturing rival factions such as Abu Shabab's. However, this strategy is fraught with risks.
Here Be Dragons: Risks Aplenty
- Fire and Brimstone: Armament of these factions necessitates meticulous monitoring to prevent retaliation, avoiding a potentially explosive backlash. One ex-Israeli intelligence chief warned that missteps in this endeavor could result in "blowback."
- Power Struggle: Hamas accuses Abu Shabab of being a snitch collaborating with Israel. His group and Hamas have clashed before, raising concerns about potential escalation as this new power dynamic unfolds.
- International Scorn: Israel's actions risk inviting international condemnation, as the move could dent efforts to maintain peace in the contested region.
Geopolitical Chess: Israel's move seems strategically calculated, aiming to destabilize Hamas by strengthening opposition forces. However, this complex power play could have potentially disastrous consequences, including increased violence, humanitarian crises, undermining the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority, and security concerns, with the potential for the weapons provided turning against Israel.
Additionally, Israel's Air Force attacked several locations in Lebanon, allegedly targeting drone-production facilities of the Hezbollah militia, a group linked to Hamas. This action took place despite a ceasefire and drew criticism from the Lebanese president.
Meanwhile, tensions between Israel and Hamas have simmered since the Gaza conflict erupted in October 2023. Hisbollah had fired rockets at Israel in support of Hamas, prompting retaliatory attacks.
The Commission, amidst war-and-conflicts and politics in general-news, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionising radiation, as the situation in the Gaza Strip escalates due to Israel's arming of non-Hamas Palestinian groups, potentially leading to increased use of ionising radiation in conflicts.
This escalation in the Gaza Strip, involving the distribution of weapons such as AK-47 rifles, raises concerns about the safety and welfare of workers in the region, potentially exposed to these weapons and the conflicts they may engender.
