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Israel has been secretly backing armed militias in the Gaza Strip with funding, weapons, and logistical support, according to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth. Analysts question the effectiveness of this approach in countering Hamas.
The report said Israel supplied the militias with rifles, ammunition, fuel, vehicles, food, and other resources. This support has allowed militias to operate near Israeli troop deployments inside Gaza.
Militias Operate Outside Formal Command
The militias reportedly act independently of the Israeli army and Shin Bet security agency. They are deployed for limited tactical roles, such as searching for Hamas fighters in tunnels or rubble and carrying out detentions to protect Israeli soldiers.
One militia, led by Yasser Abu Shabab before his death, operated publicly, releasing videos signaling defiance toward Hamas.
Strategy Draws Criticism in Israel
Israeli critics argue the militias lack organizational strength and popular legitimacy to challenge Hamas effectively. Analysts say Hamas continues to consolidate power during the ceasefire, making it unlikely these groups can replace the movement.
The report compared the current policy to Israel’s past reliance on militias in Lebanon during the 1980s. It recalled the Sabra and Shatila massacre, where Israeli-backed militias killed thousands of Palestinian civilians in west Beirut in 1982, shaping public and international perception of such strategies.
Cost and Funding
The estimated cost of supporting the militias runs into tens of millions of shekels, funded from the Israeli army’s budget. The groups operate in areas under Israeli military presence, covering more than half of Gaza’s territory under the Oct. 10 ceasefire agreement.
