Netanyahu Confirms Israel’s Backing of Anti-Hamas Militia in Gaza

In a revelation that has sparked significant debate, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israel is supporting an armed group in Gaza that opposes Hamas. This admission follows claims made by former Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Liberman, who alleged that the government had handed weapons to what he described as “criminals and felons.”

The group in question, reportedly associated with a local Bedouin tribe led by Yasser Abu Shabab, is active in the Rafah area of southern Gaza. According to the European Council on Foreign Relations, Abu Shabab is known not for political resistance but for heading a so-called "criminal gang" involved in looting and other illicit activities, including attacks on aid convoys.

Netanyahu defended the strategy, arguing that enlisting local forces against Hamas was a move that ultimately benefits Israeli soldiers. “What did Liberman leak? That security sources activated a clan in Gaza that opposes Hamas? What is bad about that? It is only good; it is saving lives of Israeli soldiers,” he said in a video statement posted online.

However, the move has raised questions about the nature of Israel’s partnerships in Gaza. Michael Milshtein, a Palestinian affairs expert from Tel Aviv’s Moshe Dayan Center, explained that the Abu Shabab group is not a traditional militia but a network rooted in smuggling and criminal operations. He noted that Abu Shabab had previously been jailed by Hamas and that his clan leaders have since disowned him, branding him a collaborator and gangster.

Despite the controversy, reports suggest that Israeli authorities, possibly including the internal security agency Shabak, have provided the group with weapons, financial support, and even protection from military action in exchange for acting against Hamas. Hamas responded harshly, accusing the group of betrayal and collaboration with Israel, and calling on Palestinian civilians to reject them.

Recent incidents have also highlighted the tensions surrounding the group’s activities. Hamas allegedly killed four members of Abu Shabab’s faction just days before Netanyahu’s remarks, indicating that the conflict between Hamas and the militia has escalated. Additionally, there are unconfirmed reports that Abu Shabab’s brother was killed by Hamas during efforts to suppress attacks on UN aid convoys.

The group, which calls itself the "Popular Forces," has denied acting as an Israeli proxy. In a statement posted on Facebook, it claimed, “We have never been, and will never be, a tool of the occupation.” The group also insisted its weapons are old and sourced from local supporters.

Critics warn that arming a criminal-linked militia in a war zone could backfire. “This is a fantasy, not something you can really describe as a strategy,” Milshtein cautioned. “I really hope it will not end with catastrophe.”

As the war between Israel and Hamas nears its twentieth month, the use of unconventional alliances to weaken Hamas may carry more risks than rewards, especially if those alliances are built on shaky ground.