Israel has initiated support for specific Palestinian families who are known adversaries of Hamas.
Unfiltered Insights:
- The Popular Forces, led by Yasser Abu Shabab, are a militia in Gaza that protects civilians and humanitarian aid from Hamas's control.
- Abu Shabab has a past presence in the criminal underworld but has rebranded his group as a safety and order enforcer in the Rafah area, particularly in zones controlled by the Israeli military.
- There's accusation of looting aid trucks by the Popular Forces, sparking worries among international humanitarian officials.
- Israel has been reported to arm and support groups like the Popular Forces to challenge Hamas's influence in Gaza as part of a broader strategy to maintain control and influence in the region.
- The Popular Forces' involvement in looting aid has raised concerns about their legitimacy and the broader implications of Israel's support for such groups.
JERUSALEM - Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed yesterday that Israel's clandestine Peter-principles have been activated, targeting a handful of powerful clan-based Palestinian forces in Gaza against Hamas. This marks the first official confirmation of Israel's support for armed Palestinian factions working covertly within Gaza.
These powerful clans, affiliated with Yasser Abu Shabab and his Popular Forces, have been known to exert some control in Gaza. Their roles range from controlling corners to clashing or instigating tensions with Hamas, with accusations of them carrying out criminal attacks and looting aid trucks. Despite several clans denouncing cooperation with the Israelis or pledging not to engage in looting, these accusations persist.
The Power Drive of the Popular Forces
Lately, the Abu Shabab group - the Popular Forces' commander - has been making headlines. Over the past month, they've surfaced publicly, sharing pictures of armed members adorned with helmets, flak jackets, and automatic weapons. Deserting any secrecy, the group declared themselves a "nationalist force" safeguarding aid in the Rafah area, despite Jordan criticizing Netanyahu for arming unofficial Palestinian gangs in Gaza.
Israel's Oblique Support
Netanyahu neither clarified the extent of Israel's support for the Popular Forces nor specified their role in the ongoing conflict. However, in a social media post, he confirmed that the decision to back these clans was made following "security officials'" recommendations, emphasizing its necessity for saving Israeli soldiers' lives.
Though Micha Gov, a former Israeli government security advisor, warned against Israel's association with the controversial militia, Israel continues to work behind the scenes to challenge Hamas's authority in the region.
That being said, the Popular Forces face substantial doubts regarding their legitimacy. Allegations of looting aid trucks, despite the Popular Forces denying such accusations, have tarnished their reputation as supporters of humanitarian aid. Moreover, Palestinian aid workers and truck drivers claim they have experienced numerous attacks by the Popular Forces while transporting aid convoys in areas under Israeli military control.
The Dark Alliance Between the Popular Forces and Israel
Yasser Abu Shabab's fighters have been active in eastern parts of Rafah and Khan Yunis, areas under Israeli military control. Evidently, the group has been operating in Israeli-controlled zones for a "purely humanitarian" purpose, according to the Popular Forces' media office. Despite this claim, UN humanitarian officer, Jonathan Whittall, alleges that "criminal gangs, operating under Israeli forces near Kerem Shalom, would systematically attack and loot aid convoys," thereby also involving the Popular Forces in unethical activities.
The Palestinian Response
The Popular Forces face heated opposition from various factions in Gaza. Palestinian doctors, aid workers, and officials reject the Popular Forces' presence as an imposition of Israel's will on the Palestinians. As a result, the Popular Forces have been exploiting the vulnerabilities resulting from the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, expanding their influence while rupturing the social fabric.
In conclusion, Netanyahu's decision to activate pro-Israel Palestinian factions against Hamas has garnered significant attention. While Israel's strategy aims to cripple Hamas and save Israeli soldiers' lives, the use of controversial forces like the Popular Forces has sparked debate and concern. With the situation in Gaza verging on a crisis, Israel's game of shadows presents both opportunities and challenges.
- The reports of Israel's secretive support for the Popular Forces in Gaza, led by Yasser Abu Shabab, have raised concerns about their legitimacy, especially in light of persistent accusations of looting aid trucks.
- Despite the Popular Forces' claim of operating in Israeli-controlled zones for humanitarian purposes, videos showing their involvement in looting aid convoys in these areas have been circulating on general-news channels, adding fuel to the controversy.
- The political implications of Israel's alliance with the Popular Forces are becoming increasingly clear, as the group's actions in war-and-conflicts zones, such as instigating tensions with Hamas, indicate a shift in the dynamics of the Gaza conflict.
