Israel Arms Palestinian Militias in Gaza to Counter Hamas

Israel has reportedly armed a small Palestinian militia in southern Gaza, led by Yasser Abu Shabab, as part of a strategy to build local resistance against Hamas. The militia, which calls itself the Popular Forces or Anti-Terror Service, has received Kalashnikov rifles and other weapons, including some seized from Hamas, with approval from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli security agencies. While Israel views this as a way to challenge Hamas’s dominance and protect Israeli soldiers, the move has sparked controversy, with critics including former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman accusing the government of arming criminal gangs affiliated with ISIS. The militia has been accused of looting humanitarian aid and fostering instability, raising concerns about the lack of oversight to prevent these weapons from being used against Israel. Hamas condemned the arming of these groups, calling it evidence of Israeli collaboration with looters to deepen crises in Gaza. Israel’s government maintains that its actions are part of a multifaceted strategy to defeat Hamas, based on security officials’ recommendations.