Israel's Strategy: Uniting Gaza Clans Against Hamas

In an effort to dismantle Hamas’s hold on Gaza, Israel has been bolstering militias led by factions opposed to the dominant Palestinian organization. These groups receive support and armament from Israel as part of a strategy to offer a governance alternative to Hamas's longstanding authority in the region.

This approach traces back to actions initiated late last year, when Israeli strikes on Gaza’s police forces aimed to undermine any governing body linked to Hamas. The resultant disorder allowed for new power dynamics to emerge within the Strip.

In this law enforcement gap, Yaser Abu Shabab, a 32-year-old tribal leader, and about a hundred members of his clan took charge of managing relief routes near the Kerem Shalom border point, an essential passage for humanitarian aid.

Allegations have been directed at groups like that of Abu Shabab, accusing them of diverting aid shipments and colluding with extremist factions.

Reports by international food security organizations indicated the onset of famine conditions in Gaza City, marking a grim milestone for the Middle East. Warnings indicated a potential expansion southwards by the subsequent month.

Jonathan Whitall, formerly of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Territories, reported in May that criminal operatives, seemingly under Israeli scrutiny, were actively functioning near the Kerem Shalom crossing.

Following recommendations from security officials, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly recognized his government's initiative to 'activate' certain Gaza clans as part of an anti-Hamas strategy.

Netanyahu emphasized that this move purportedly benefits Israeli soldiers by preserving their lives.

Abu Shabab, rebranding his coalition as the 'Popular Forces,' officially denied receiving Israeli weapons. However, visual evidence and broadcasting posts highlight his group's operations in areas secured by Israeli forces. Additionally, there are media reports suggesting the transfer of firearms like Kalashnikovs to these groups.

Initially spearheading militia formation in Gaza, Abu Shabab's group paved the way for others, with numerous militias now executing coordinated activities with Israeli forces across different locations in the Gaza Strip.

Prominent among others is the group led by Hussam Al-Astal, a former member of the Palestinian Authority's security outfit, known for previous cooperation with Israel during the 1990s, and implicated in high-profile targeted killings.

Al-Astal's 'Strike Force Against Terror' commands Qizan Al-Najjar, a community south of Rafah, marked by opposition to Hamas. He extols the area as peaceful and resourceful, contrasting with the violent narrative often associated with Gaza.

Al-Astal claims his domain is war-free, welcoming one and all while maintaining a filter against any Hamas affiliations.

The day Al-Astal shared these insights coincided with Hamas's partial acceptance of the Trump administration's peace proposal, resulting in critical terms like releasing captives and relinquishing most governing duties.

In a September broadcast, Al-Astal declared a bounty for neutralizing Hamas operatives, asserting his commitment to ending their reign.

Intra-Palestinian Conflicts Intensify

Al-Astal's forces participated in a fierce conflict in Khan Yunis, sparked by a Hamas raid targeting alleged Israeli collaborators within a noted Palestinian clan. The ensuing violence resulted in numerous fatalities among both clans and insurgents.

Al-Astal admitted to engaging against Hamas forces, though he withheld specific details about tactics, whereas the Israeli Defense Forces released footage corroborating their attacks on Hamas locations.

This type of internal conflict is not unprecedented; Israel has historically attempted to introduce alternative Palestinian authorities through collaboration, although past attempts have often met with failure.

Controversies Over Cooperation With Israel

The perceived collaboration with Israel is heavily censured within Palestinian communities. Abu Shabab and Al-Astal's affiliations with Israel have caused their families to denounce their actions.

Al-Astal dismisses claims of betrayal, asserting that he only cooperated with Israel to facilitate humanitarian aid and logistical support, despite personal losses during Israeli military operations.

While some clans have aligned with Israeli initiatives, others have staunchly refused. Nizar Dughmush of Gaza City recounts rejecting an Israeli offer to oversee a humanitarian zone, an action purportedly followed by devastating Israeli airstrikes on his neighborhood.

After Dughmush's denial, his tribe endured severe loss of life and property, reflecting the stark consequences of non-cooperation.

Dughmush, now displaced, relates his choice not to engage as stemming from a desire to steer clear of being tools in the broader geopolitical conflict.

Al-Astal remains resolute, seeing himself as a vital player in shaping Gaza's future beyond Hamas’s influence.

He emphasizes that Hamas does not belong in Gaza's vision moving forward, claiming his group as leaders of a new order.