Israel backs new Gaza militias to fight hamas, report says

Israel is quietly supporting new Palestinian militias in Gaza that are fighting against Hamas in order to harm the terrorist organization, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Sunday. 

According to the report, Israel’s reliance on the armed groups in Gaza was evident earlier this month, when Hussam al-Astal, the leader of one of the groups, boasted about killing a policeman in Hamas-controlled territory and said that more such attacks were planned.

Al-Astal said in a video statement, "We say to Hamas and to anyone affiliated with Hamas – just as we reached him, we will come to you as well." Al-Astal made the remarks in the video while brandishing an assault rifle.

According to the report, Israel is providing the armed militias in Gaza with aerial support from drones and is sharing intelligence, weapons, cigarettes, and food, Israeli officials and military reservists have said. 

Some members of the militia were even evacuated by helicopter to hospitals in Israel after sustaining injuries, the outlet reported the sources saying.

This is not the first report that Israel is assisting armed forces in the Gaza Strip who oppose Hamas, including the Abu-Shabab clan of the Tarabin tribe in Rafah, which secured the humanitarian aid entering the Strip under the guidance of the Palestinian Authority, according to their reports. 

However, Hamas accused him of collaborating with Israel and repeatedly tried to thwart his actions. Last month, the head of the militia, Yasser Abu Shabab, was killed by gunfire during an internal dispute.

READ MORE:

• Hamas reportedly agrees to surrender weapons in US-mediated deal

• Report: Israel to seek control of Rafah Crossing to ensure more Gazans go out than in

• Witkoff and Kushner meet with Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss Gaza plan