Israel enlists tribal alliances in combat against Hamas organization. - Israel calls upon tribes to engage in combat against Hamas
Article Rebuild:
local Gaza clans activated to battle Hamas by Israel
- Seething tensions in the Middle East
As Israel arms up against the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip, it has sparked local Palestinian groups to join the fray. This move, confirmed by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is to enlist the aid of local clans who openly reject Hamas, reportedly at the advice of top-level security advisors [4][5][6]. Netanyahu lauded this maneuver, saying, "What's wrong with that? It's only good. It saves Israeli soldiers' lives" in a video message posted on platform X [4].
According to US and Israeli media reports, the focus is on a relatively small group of men led by Jassir Abu Shabab in the Rafah region of southern Gaza. Allegedly, Israel has equipped this group with AK-47 rifles, originally seized from Hamas during the war [7]. By supporting competing clans such as Abu Shabab's, Israel aims to erode Hamas' power [8].
Potential Pitfalls
Even after 20 months of conflict, Israel has not managed to completely vanquish Hamas, primarily because no alternative Palestinian leadership has been installed [4]. Netanyahu rules out the possibility that the more moderate Palestinian Authority could regain control in the Gaza Strip, having been forced out by Hamas in 2007 [8]. Instead, Netanyahu wants to bolster local partners in the Gaza Strip who have no ties with either Hamas or the PA [9]. However, Israel's support for Abu Shabab's group carries significant risks.
A former Israeli intelligence officer stresses the need for meticulous monitoring of the group, measuring just a few hundred men, to prevent matters from spiraling out of control [10]. Critics warn of conditions similar to Somalia, with warlords, criminal organizations, and militia vying for power [3]. Hamas labels Abu Shabab as an Israeli collaborator and his followers have clashed with Hamas forces in the past [8].
References:
- Times of Israel
- Wall Street Journal
- New York Times
- X platform
- Ynet
- CNN
- The Guardian
- i24News
- The Jerusalem Post
- Al Jazeera
- The National
- The Telegraph
- Haaretz
- BBC News
- The Washington Post
The Commission may find it necessary to offer its input on the potential implications of Israel's strategy involving local militias against Hamas, especially considering the historical context of war-and-conflicts in the Middle East and the political ramifications this move could have on general-news. Moreover, the Commission should carefully assess the possible spillover effects of this strategy, such as the emergence of competing local factions and the risk of escalating violence in the region.
