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Israel's Secret Militia in Gaza: A Gamble That Risks Backfiring

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Benjamin Netanyahu's administration has been accused of secretly arming and training a Palestinian militia in Gaza, led by Yasser Abu Shabab, with ties to extremist elements, including ISIS. The initiative, aimed at securing humanitarian aid deliveries, was kept hidden from the public and much of the Israeli government. The move has sparked widespread criticism, with analysts warning that it may backfire, causing Gaza to become another Somalia. The plan, which was leaked to Haaretz, has also raised concerns about its legality and ethics, including allegations of circumventing transparency laws and public procurement procedures.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Israeli government has secretly trained and armed a Palestinian militia in Gaza, led by Yasser Abu Shabab, with ties to extremist elements, including ISIS.
  • The militia was established in response to the Israeli military's dismantling of Hamas's governance structures in Gaza, leaving a power vacuum that the government's "rule of clans" policy was designed to fill.
  • The operation, which includes a network of NGOs and private contractors, has circumvented transparency laws and public procurement procedures, raising concerns about its legality and ethics.
  • The militia's salaries are funded through confiscated cash and a shadowy Swiss-based NGO, which has been linked to the Mossad and American-Jewish donors with right-wing ties.
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu's offhand response to the revelation has sparked a backlash, with critics accusing him of undermining Israel's strategic credibility and damaging the Shin Bet's long-term intelligence capabilities.
  • The move has been criticized by experts, including Michael Milshtein from Tel Aviv University, who warns that it may lead to a repeat of the failed colonial-era tactics in Lebanon in the 1980s.
  • The Israeli government has refused to comment on operational details, further fueling speculation and concerns about the implications of this initiative.

Statistics:

  • $190 million: The rough estimate of the operation's budget, allocated by the Israeli Finance Ministry through a covert channel.
  • 700 million shekels: The amount allocated for the operation, which is roughly equivalent to $190 million.
  • 2024: The year in which the "rule of clans" policy was first attempted, but failed, in central Gaza.

Sources:

  • Haaretz, "Netanyahu's Secret Army: Israel's Trained Militia in Gaza Trained by Shin Bet Operatives."
  • Tel Aviv University, Michael Milshtein, "Israel's Doomed Experiment in Gaza."
  • UNRWA (no date mentioned)
  • IDF (no date mentioned)
  • Israeli Finance Ministry (no date mentioned)
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu's Office (no response to Haaretz inquiries)

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