Israel's Support for Palestinian Clans in Gaza Risks Enabling Militias and Dividing the Palestinian Community

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strategy to empower Palestinian clans as a counterweight to Hamas in Gaza has been accused of creating a power vacuum and enabling militias. Critics argue that this strategy is a repeat of an old playbook, where Israel has historically provided support to local groups to divide Palestinians and undermine their national aspirations. Yasser Abu Shabab, a militia leader in southeastern Gaza, has been at the forefront of this initiative, alleging that he is a humanitarian and liberator. However, aid workers and analysts say he is a gang leader aligned with the Israeli military, who has been involved in the systematic looting of aid entering the Gaza Strip.

Key Takeaways:

• Yasser Abu Shabab, a 35-year-old militia leader, has been at the forefront of Israel's strategy to empower Palestinian clans in Gaza, allegedly with Israeli backing.
• Abu Shabab's group has positioned itself as the de facto authority in southeastern Gaza, setting up checkpoints to screen international aid convoys and claiming to provide security to aid trucks.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's support for clans in Gaza has been seen as a repeat of an old playbook, where Israel has provided support to local groups to divide Palestinians and undermine their national aspirations.
• Former members of the Israeli security establishment have argued that clans in Gaza cannot substitute for the Palestinian Authority, which is seen as the only viable alternative to Hamas in the enclave.
• Israel's support for tribal militias comes with significant risks, including the potential for Israel to lose control over the groups, similar to the experience in Afghanistan with the Taliban.
• In the crosshairs of Hamas, Abu Shabab has been accused of being involved in drugs and weapons smuggling, and has also been linked to the Islamic State branch in Sinai.

Statistics:

• Abu Shabab's militia now has over 2,000 civilians living on their turf, spanning about two miles along the border with Egypt.
• The militia has built schools, health centers, and other civilian infrastructure in the area.
• There are over 100 members in Abu Shabab's militia.
• Almost two dozen members of Abu Shabab's group were kneecapped in a wave of retribution by Hamas security forces.
• The "Piercing Arrow" unit, linked to Hamas, has been targeting Abu Shabab's relatives and associates.

Sources:

• The Washington Post
• The Israeli Ministry of Defense
• The Palestine Liberation Organization
• The International Crisis Group
• The European Council on Foreign Relations
• Azmi Keshawi, Gaza researcher for the International Crisis Group
• Muhammad Shehada, visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations
• Rashid Khalidi, Edward Said professor emeritus of modern Arab studies at Columbia University
• Michael Milshtein, former adviser on Palestinian affairs to the Israeli military