Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged that Israel is using armed gangs(criminal groups)in Gaza to help fight Hamas. This admission comes after a recent wave of military strikes on the besieged Gaza Strip resulted in at least 52 Palestinian deaths.
Netanyahu stated that the government had “activated” powerful local clans in the enclave on the advice of “security officials”.
The Israeli government has reportedly backed armed Palestinian groups based around powerful families, which aid workers have accused of carrying out criminal attacks and stealing aid from trucks. Starvation is widespread in the territory due to a punishing Israeli blockade.
According to Ireport, “Netanyahu says that these armed gangs … could essentially help the Israelis defeat Hamas in Gaza.” However, this tactic has been met with criticism, with some Israelis arguing that these groups are “armed criminal enterprises” that should not be armed.
One of the groups mentioned is the Popular Forces, led by local clan leader Yasser Abu Shabab in Rafah. This group has reportedly been helping protect supply shipments to new US- and Israel-backed distribution centers run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
The GHF has faced criticism for its role in aid distribution, with Chris Gunness, former spokesperson for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), describing Gaza as a “human abattoir” due to the operations of the GHF.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the population on the brink of mass starvation. Recent incidents at aid distribution sites run by the GHF have sparked widespread condemnation, with Israeli troops opening fire on Palestinians seeking aid on multiple occasions. At least 52 Palestinians were killed on Thursday, according to hospital sources, with many more injured.
In response to the ongoing conflict, Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya has stated that the group did not reject a proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza put forward by US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Instead, Hamas requested changes to ensure an end to the war and is ready to engage in further talks. Communications with mediators are ongoing, but Israel broke off a previous truce in March to resume the war in Gaza.