Israel Arms New Militia in Gaza Amid Ongoing War with Hamas

Strategic Insights -

Tens of thousands of people have been killed in Gaza by Israeli strikes over the past 20 months of war, which began with a deadly Hamas attack on Israel. Gaza now lies in ruins, with the leaders of Hamas killed and the group degraded. Amid this backdrop, Israel has started arming a new militia in Gaza, sparking controversy and raising concerns about the legitimacy of the group.

Key Takeaways:

  • Israel has been arming a new militia in Gaza, led by Yasser Abu Shabab, a man with a history of crime and mental instability, to counter Hamas.
  • Abu Shabab's group, known as Abu Shabab, has been involved in the looting of UN aid convoys in southern Gaza, with over 109 trucks being looted in one incident.
  • The group has been described as a "criminal" and a "fugitive" wanted for murder and drug smuggling, and is considered a threat to the stability of the region.
  • Israeli opposition politician Avigdor Lieberman has stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is providing weapons to fighters from the extremist Islamic State group to counter Hamas in Gaza.
  • Netanyahu has confirmed that Israel is backing tribes in Gaza, and has activated clans that oppose Hamas, but this move is opposed by far-right ministers in his government and Palestinians.
  • Abu Shabab's group is now rebranding itself as a protector of aid, with photos of them securing routes for a new Israeli plan that restricts how food is distributed in Gaza.
  • At least 150 people have been killed by Israeli soldiers trying to reach sites run by American contractors, and Abu Shabab has posted videos showing them seizing Hamas rifles and brandishing them as a counterterror group.

Statistics:

  • Tens of thousands of people have been killed in Gaza by Israeli strikes over the past 20 months of war.
  • 109 trucks were looted by Abu Shabab's group in a single incident in southern Gaza.
  • At least 150 people have been killed by Israeli soldiers trying to reach sites run by American contractors.
  • 20 months have passed since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.
  • Over 150 people have been displaced by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

Sources:

  • NPR News, Aya Batrawy, Dubai (with reporting by Anas Baba in Gaza City and Ahmed Abu Hamda in Cairo) ("Tens of thousands of people have been killed in Gaza by Israeli strikes over these past 20 months of war, a war which began with a deadly Hamas attack on Israel. Gaza now lies in ruins...")
  • U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) ("You and I have been in these briefings for a few years. I don't ever recall any of us talking about a convoy of 109 trucks run by the U.N. being looted.")
  • Eyad Amawi, aid coordinator in Gaza ( ("We know very well Yasser Abu Shabab. He is a criminal, a fugitive, wanted for numerous drug-related charges.")
  • Avigdor Lieberman, Israeli opposition politician (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) (Non-English language spoken).
  • Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) ("We activated clans that oppose Hamas...")
  • Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council ( ("He creates this illusion that Gazans who are anti-Hamas are all somehow affiliated with the IDF, with the Israeli military...")
  • Aya Batrawy, NPR News, Dubai (with reporting by Anas Baba in Gaza City and Ahmed Abu Hamda in Cairo) ("Aya Batrawy, NPR News, Dubai, with reporting by Anas Baba in Gaza City and Ahmed Abu Hamda in Cairo.")