Location at an overview: Israel mobilizes clans in the fight against Hamas

Israel armed in the fight against Islamist Hamas local Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip. After public criticism by an Israeli opposition politician, Israel’s head of government Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that local clans had been “activated” that reject Hamas. This was done on the advice of ranked security officers. “What is bad about it? It’s just good. This saves the life of Israeli soldiers,” said Netanyahu in a video message published on platform X.

According to media reports in the USA and Israel, it is primarily about a relatively small group of men in the Rafah area in the south of Gazas. The Times of Israel reported that it was equipped with the Israeli military with Kalashnikov rifles that the army confiscated from Hamas during the war. The Israeli news site “Ynet” reported by promoting rival clans such as that of Abu Schabab.

Report: Israel’s approach carries risks

Even after 20 months of war, Israel was unable to completely defeat Hamas – including because no alternative Palestinian leadership was installed as a replacement. Prime Minister Netanyahu has ruled out that the more moderate Palestinian autonomy authority (PA) from the West Bank could also take control in the Gaza Strip. The organization led by Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas was sold in 2007 by Hamas from the coastal area.

Instead, Netanyahu now wants to strengthen local partners in the Gaza Strip that are neither connected to Hamas nor with the PA, the “Wall Street Journal” reported. But Israel’s support for Abu Schabab’s group would recover risks. A armament of his group of Israel, consisting of a few hundred men, requires “precise surveillance” so that “this does not backfire”, the “New York Times” quoted a former Israeli intelligence officer.

Experts warn of circumstances like in Somalia

Experts had warned more than a year ago before a complete breakdown of any order and a real anarchy in the Gaza Strip. In the sealed area, conditions such as in Somalia threatened rival warlords, gangs and clans. Hamas describes Abu Schabab as a criminal collaborator of Israel. His people and the Palestinian terrorist organization fought battles, reported the “Wall Street Journal”.

Abu Schabab was known as a looter of auxiliary goods under the rule of Hamas, the US newspaper Michael Milstein, a former head of the Palestinian affairs department at Israeli military secret service. He also lacks broad support in Gaza, which is why Israel’s plan has little chance of success. He was pretty sure that the Hamas Abu Schabab’s group is “smashed,” Milstein told the paper.

Israel attacks again in Lebanon

Meanwhile, the Israeli Air Force attacked several goals in suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut and in the south of the neighboring country – according to it, it was underground facilities for the production and storage of drones of the HISBOLLAH militia allied with Hamas. Despite the ceasefire that has been in force since November, the Hezbollah militia “is working under the direction and with the financial support of Iranian terrorist functionaries in the production of thousands of drones,” said the military over Telegram at night. The information could initially not be checked independently.

The Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Israel’s attacks. They took place on the eve of the Eid al-Adha sacrifice festival, one of the most important religious festivals for Muslims worldwide.

Despite the agreements between Israel and Lebanon, the air force unit of the Hisbollah expands its capacities with Iranian help, explained Israel’s military. The militia had shot down with rockets for more than a year since the beginning of the Gaza War in October 2023. According to her own statements, she wanted to support the allied Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israel replied with air strikes and a soil offensive.

The Gaza War triggered the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023 with around 1,200 deaths. At that time, around 250 people were also delayed as hostages in the Gaza Strip. According to the health authority controlled by the Hamas, more than 54,600 Palestinians have been killed in the densely populated coastal area since the beginning of the war. The number that is barely verifiable does not differentiate between civilians and fighters.