New Developments: IDF Assistance to Militia Members in Gaza Amid Conflict with Hamas
Unusual Clashes in Rafah
Recent reports from Gaza indicate significant clashes between Abu Shabab’s militia and Hamas operatives in Rafah. During exchanges of gunfire, several members of the militia, believed to be operated by the Shin Bet security agency, were killed alongside Hamas militants. Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeted four Hamas operatives involved in the incident, though both the Shin Bet and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declined to comment on the matter.
Shift in Tactics Against Hamas
Since October 7, Israel has attempted to recruit various clans and criminal gangs to undermine Hamas’s grip in Gaza. Dr. Dina Lisnansky, a senior researcher of extremist Islamic organizations at the Dayan Center at Tel Aviv University, notes that these efforts faced challenges, as Hamas executed members of clans attempting to collaborate with Israel. However, as Hamas’s strength diminishes, opportunities have arisen for groups like Abu Shabab, who see themselves as potential power alternatives against Hamas.
Connections and Implications
The Abu Shabab militia is reportedly involved in drug trafficking and has familial ties to the Tarabin Bedouin tribe in northern Sinai. The current strategy by Abu Shabab is believed to have the backing of Mohammad Dahlan from the Palestinian Authority and has received tacit approval from Egyptian authorities. Nstarttheless, Dr. Lisnansky warns that the militia’s arrangement may only be viable in the short term.
Israel’s military and security establishment perceives that increasing pressure on Hamas, while offering employment opportunities through militias like Abu Shabab, could enhance their power against Hamas. However, officials have refrained from discussing specifics regarding the militia’s operations.
In summary, as the conflict in Gaza continues to evolve, the dynamics between local militias and established groups like Hamas are becoming increasingly complex. The strategic support from Israel could alter the balance of power in the region, but the long-term sustainability of such arrangements remains uncertain