Israel's Covert Strategy: Backing New Gaza Militias in the Fight Against Hamas
In a shadowy development within the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Israel is quietly providing extensive support to newly formed Palestinian militias in Gaza that are actively targeting Hamas operatives. This covert partnership allows Israel to strike at Hamas in areas where its own military forces are restricted due to ceasefire agreements, creating a complex and volatile dynamic in the war-torn region.
Militia Operations and Israeli Support
The reliance on these pop-up militias was starkly illustrated earlier this month when Hussam Al Astal, leader of one such group, publicly boasted about the killing of a Hamas police official in territory controlled by the militant organization. In a chilling video message, Astal brandished an assault rifle and issued a direct threat: "We say to Hamas and everyone affiliated with Hamas: Just as we reached him, we will come for you, too."
Israeli support for these militias is comprehensive and multifaceted. According to Israeli officials and military reservists, Israel provides:
- Air support from surveillance drones
- Critical intelligence sharing
- Weapons and ammunition
- Basic supplies including food and cigarettes
- Medical evacuation to Israeli hospitals for injured militia members
Strategic Advantages and Operational Details
This unconventional partnership, born from a shared hostility toward Hamas, serves as a strategic tool for Israel. With Israeli military operations constrained by ceasefire terms, these militias can penetrate Hamas-controlled territories that are officially off-limits to Israeli troops. One such area is Al Mawasi, where Astal's group claimed responsibility for killing the Hamas police official.
Yaron Buskila, a former senior operations officer in the Israeli military's Gaza division, explained the operational relationship: "When they are going and doing activities against Hamas, we are there to watch them and some of the time to help. It means helping them with information and if we see Hamas trying to threaten them or come close, we are actively getting involved."
The cooperation extends to tactical operations. In recent months, members of the Popular Forces, another Israeli-backed militia, were reportedly used to draw out trapped Hamas militants from tunnels in Rafah while Israel pumped explosives into those tunnels.
Militia Composition and Public Perception
These militias consist of dozens to hundreds of gunmen living in Israeli-controlled portions of Gaza. They actively recruit through online posts and document their activities on social media with graphic videos showing attacks on Hamas militants. Some posts even feature militia members wearing Israeli tactical vests and AI-generated visions of a future Gaza.
However, the militias face significant challenges in gaining legitimacy. Many have histories of criminal activities and were involved in looting aid during the war, making Gazans wary of supporting them. Hamas has branded them as "agents of the Israeli occupation" and issued threats against collaborators, stating: "The price of betrayal is heavy and costly."
Historical Precedents and Future Concerns
Military analysts warn that working with such armed groups has backfired for Israel in the past. Most notably, Israel's support for the South Lebanon Army turned deadly when Israeli forces withdrew from Lebanon in 2000, resulting in many militia members being killed or forced to flee to Israel.
Saar Tzur, a recently retired senior Israeli military officer, expressed concern about the long-term viability of these partnerships: "The interests of a militia are first of all to the militia, not to someone else. And it can turn on you."
The future remains uncertain for these militias if Israel withdraws from the approximately 50% of Gaza it currently occupies. Michael Milshtein, former head of Palestinian affairs for Israeli military intelligence, suggested they might face a fate similar to Lebanon militias: "It is a matter of time. They will have to choose whether to stay and be executed or arrested, or escape and join the IDF."
Despite their current operations, the militias have not established themselves as viable alternatives to Hamas, which continues to reassert control over its territories and rebuild its military structure. The Israeli military and Shin Bet domestic security agency have declined to comment on their cooperation with these emerging armed groups.
