Israel enlists tribal groups for combat against Hamas
Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: Israel's New Approach In Gaza
In an unconventional move, Israel has elected to arm local Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip to combat the Islamist group Hamas. Following criticism by an Israeli opposition politician, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly acknowledged the activation of these local clans, stating, "What's wrong with that? It's only good. It saves the lives of Israeli soldiers."
Reports from US and Israeli media suggest that this strategy primarily concerns a small, influential group led by Jassir Abu Shabab in the southern Rafah region. These men, reportedly equipped with Kalashnikov rifles by the Israeli military, are intended to weaken Hamas by fueling internal conflict. Israel, according to Israeli news site "Ynet", aims to promote splinter groups like Abu Shabab's.
Strategy's Potential Pitfalls
After 20 months of ceaseless warfare, Israel has failed to completely vanquish Hamas - mainly due to the absence of an alternative Palestinian leadership. Netanyahu has dismissed the possibility of the West Bank's more moderate Palestinian Authority (PA), led by Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, regaining control in Gaza. The PA was expelled from the coastal region by Hamas in 2007.
While strengthening non-affiliated local partners in Gaza may appear an attractive solution, Israel's support for Abu Shabab's group could carry significant risks. A former Israeli intelligence officer cautioned that the armament of Abu Shabab's band, estimated to number several hundred men, would necessitate "close monitoring" to prevent unwanted repercussions.
Warnings of Somalia-like Instability
Experts have warned of a complete breakdown of order and outright anarchy in Gaza, with Somalia-like conditions of warring factions, gangs, and clans threatening to take hold. Hamas views Abu Shabab as a collaborator with Israel and has clashed with his supporters. Moreover, Abu Shabab lacks popularity within Gaza, which makes Israel's plan highly questionable. A former head of the Israeli military's intelligence branch predicted that Hamas was likely to "crush" Abu Shabab's group.
Escalating Conflict with Lebanon
Simultaneously, the Israeli air force has conducted attacks on the suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut and in southern Lebanon, allegedly striking underground facilities used by the Hisbollah militia for producing and storing drones, an organization affiliated with Hamas. The Hisbollah militia, under Iranian guidance, is suspected of working on the production of thousands of drones, according to the military.
Initially unverifiable claims, these attacks occurred on the eve of Eid al-Adha, a significant religious holiday for Muslims worldwide. Despite agreements between Israel and Lebanon, Israel's military stated that Hezbollah's air unit was enhancing its capabilities with Iranian assistance. The militia has been firing rockets at Israel since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, purporting to support the affiliated Hamas in Gaza. Israel has responded with air strikes and ground offensives.
The Gaza war was ignited by Hamas' massacre on October 7, 2023, causing around 1,200 fatalities and nearly 250 hostages. As of now, according to the health authority controlled by Hamas, over 54,600 Palestinians have lost their lives in the densely populated coastal region since the war began. The largely unchecked figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
While Israel's new approach in Gaza, which involves arming local Palestinian factions to combat Hamas, may seem like a strategy to address the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict, it could potentially lead to increased instability and chaos similar to Somalia, as warned by experts. This is due to the risk of unwanted repercussions from arming groups like Jassir Abu Shabab's, as close monitoring would be necessary to prevent such outcomes. Moreover, Israel's moves in war-and-conflicts themes, such as the armament of Abu Shabab's group and the escalating conflict with Lebanon's Hezbollah, could have significant implications in the realms of politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice.
