GAZA: Amid escalating tensions in Gaza, Hamas officials have raised alarm over Israel’s alleged support for armed groups operating in the region, which are said to be destabilizing security, looting humanitarian aid, and collaborating with Israeli intelligence services.
A Hamas security official claimed that Israeli forces have been working to encourage the emergence of criminal gangs to destabilize Gaza, using methods like drug smuggling to recruit young people. The goal, according to Hamas, is to create chaos, making it easier to control Gaza through these militias while undermining efforts by local authorities to maintain order.
The official further revealed that drugs were being smuggled into Gaza under the guise of humanitarian aid, with some Israeli intelligence agents reportedly involved in funneling the substances through aid distribution points, which are ostensibly meant for civilians.
These claims have sparked concerns about Israel’s role in aiding and empowering armed factions within Gaza, making it increasingly difficult for humanitarian organizations to function effectively.
The situation has grown worse with the rise of militias like the Popular Forces, led by Yasser Abu Shabab, which is reportedly supported by Israeli forces. According to aid workers, these militias have been actively involved in looting food and other supplies meant for the civilian population, complicating efforts to provide aid to those in need.
Abu Shabab’s group, a self-proclaimed “nationalist force,” initially emerged in May, claiming to be guarding aid distribution hubs in southern Gaza. However, this group is notorious for hijacking aid trucks, with several reports of looting incidents occurring under Israeli control, particularly near the Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel into Gaza.
Israel’s support for these militias is controversial. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently mentioned activating Gaza’s clans to oppose Hamas, but provided little clarity on how Israel is supporting them or the purpose of these groups. These clans, some of which have historically been involved in smuggling and extortion, have gained a foothold in the post-Hamas era, taking advantage of the power vacuum left in Gaza after years of conflict.
In the early days of the war, Hamas cracked down on criminal gangs, but after months of fighting, these gangs have resurfaced, taking advantage of the region’s instability. Some families and clans, including Abu Shabab’s, have used their influence to challenge Hamas, which has led to a rise in militias exploiting the chaos for personal gain.
Abu Shabab’s group, which claims to be involved in protecting aid, has come under scrutiny. Its fighters are said to have seized food and medical supplies in multiple incidents, particularly in the eastern parts of Rafah and Khan Younis. While Abu Shabab’s group claims that its actions are exaggerated, aid workers disagree, reporting that Israel’s military has allowed these groups to act without intervention.
Several aid workers have shared experiences of being targeted by Abu Shabab fighters, with one driver recounting how he was blindfolded and handcuffed while his truck was looted in July. The attacker reportedly acted with impunity, knowing that Israeli troops stationed nearby did not intervene. These incidents, according to U.N. officials, have raised serious concerns about Israel’s complicity in facilitating these activities.
Israel, however, denies any claims of enabling looting. The Israeli military has refuted the accusations, with the prime minister’s office calling these allegations “fake news,” while the military stated that no looters were permitted to operate in areas under its control.
Despite Israel’s denials, humanitarian organizations are increasingly concerned that the military’s actions have created an environment where armed groups and criminal elements can operate freely, further complicating the delivery of aid. Jonathan Whittall, head of OCHA’s office for the occupied Palestinian territories, confirmed reports of “rampant looting,” which is “protected by Israeli forces.”
Israel’s alleged support for these militias raises questions about its strategy regarding aid distribution in Gaza. According to analysts, Israel seems to be using these groups and their involvement in looting to justify the shift toward a new humanitarian model. Israel has been backing the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private American contractor, to take over the U.N.-led aid network.
The GHF-run distribution centers are militarized, with private contractors providing security in areas controlled by Israeli forces. This shift to a more controlled aid network has been labeled as Israel’s effort to “sterilize” Gaza by restricting humanitarian aid to areas it controls, and moving the civilian population into designated zones, primarily in the south. Israel has repeatedly stated that Hamas has siphoned off large amounts of humanitarian aid, but the U.N. and aid groups dispute these claims, stating that the figures are exaggerated.
For months, the U.N. has struggled to bring aid into Gaza due to Israeli military restrictions. Some trucks that were able to enter Gaza were forced to use routes where looters operated with impunity, severely diminishing the effectiveness of relief operations. The U.N. has condemned Israel’s handling of aid distribution and called for greater access to ensure supplies reach those in need.
The Israeli strategy of controlling aid distribution in Gaza is also politically motivated. Analysts argue that it’s part of Israel’s broader agenda to limit the influence of international aid organizations in Gaza while promoting local networks loyal to Israel. By backing groups like Abu Shabab, Israel aims to replace the U.N.-led humanitarian system with a more manageable network aligned with its interests.
At the same time, this situation complicates efforts for a ceasefire. Hamas, while pushing for a ceasefire agreement, has demanded guarantees that any pause in hostilities will not be exploited by Israel to further undermine Gaza’s stability or forcibly relocate its population.
As of now, talks over a ceasefire have been largely stalled. According to sources close to Hamas, the group is seeking assurances that any agreement will lead to a lasting end to hostilities, but with ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza, such a promise remains elusive. Scores of civilians continue to die in Israeli airstrikes, with no end in sight to the violence.
While Israel has claimed that the operation targets Hamas, aid groups and humanitarian organizations warn that these strikes and the activities of armed groups like Abu Shabab are leading to unnecessary civilian deaths and prolonging the suffering in Gaza.
