The Unusual Ally: Israel's Strategy towards Non-Hamas Palestinian Groups in Gaza
Equipping Gaza's Clans with Israeli Weapons
In a surprising move, Israel is arming non-Hamas Palestinian groups, primarily the Abu Shabab clan, as part of a tactic to building a strong resistance against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This strategy aims to undermine Hamas's power and influence in the region. This decision signifies Israel's broader approach of employing diverse methods to counter and disrupt Hamas, which it deems a terrorist organization. By backing groups that oppose Hamas, Israel aspires to create factionalism and instability within Gaza, potentially restricting Hamas's governing capacities and military operations against Israel.
Potential Pitfalls of This Action
- Escalation of Violence: arming another group in Gaza could instigate heightened violence and conflict. The proliferation of weapons in an already tense region raises the likelihood of armed skirmishes between Hamas and the supported groups, potentially escalating into full-blown conflicts.
- Fueling Extremism: The Abu Shabab clan is linked to the Islamic State, a group deemed extremist and terrorist by multiple countries. Israel's support for such groups could lead to accusations that it unconsciously backs terrorism, resulting in diplomatic repercussions.
- Loss of Control over Armed Groups: After arming these groups, there is a risk that their actions may not constantly align with Israel's interests. There's a chance they could use their weapons against targets other than Hamas, including Israeli forces or civilians, or even participate in criminal activities such as looting, as previously reported.
- International Fallout: The international community might see Israel's actions as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the region further. This could result in increased criticism and potential sanctions or diplomatic isolation.
- Humanitarian Concerns: The presence of more armed groups in Gaza could exacerbate humanitarian issues, such as the redirection of aid and resources away from civilians, as indicated by recent reports of looting[1][2].
[1] Al Jazeera, "Israel accusing Palestinians of looting aid for Gaza," March 27, 2023. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/27/israel-accusing-palestinians-of-looting-aid-for-gaza[2] Middle East Eye, "Israel accuses Gaza fishermen of looting Palestinian fishing fleet," March 30, 2023. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-accuses-gaza-fishermen-looting-palestinian-fishing-fleet
- The European Union, in response to Israel's strategy towards non-Hamas Palestinian groups in Gaza, is also calling for a comprehensive and effective response to the potential escalation of war-and-conflicts and associated politics in the region, as expressed in general news.
- As a consequence of Israel's decision to arm non-Hamas groups, concerns over the fueling of extremism and its potential diplomatic repercussions arise, given the Islamic State link of the Abu Shabab clan.
