Chaos and Collusion: Israel’s Backing of Crime‑Linked Militias in Gaza
In the midst of intense military operations and a devastating humanitarian crisis, Israel has quietly fostered and equipped a coalition of anti-Hamas militias in southern Gaza. Among them, the so‑called “Popular Forces” — led by Yasser Abu Shabab, a tribal figure accused of criminality and extremist ties — have swiftly emerged as both an instrument of Israeli strategy and a symptom of Gaza’s growing lawlessness.
Yasser Abu Shabab, born in Rafah in 1993 and previously imprisoned on drug and theft charges, resurfaced in Gaza’s south during the 2024 Israeli assault. His militia, sometimes called the “Anti‑Terror Service,” comprises roughly 300 fighters — most of whom are ex-security personnel belonging to PA forces from Ramallah . Ostensibly formed to “cleanse” eastern Rafah of Hamas control, the group quickly became associated with violent looting of humanitarian aid — accusations Abu Shabab admits, claiming he redistributed aid “to hundreds of families” .
Criminal gangs linked to trafficking networks similarly thrive. One UN estimate stated that over a third of aid bound for Gaza has been stolen, often in well‑organized raids near border crossings . Incidents like the November 2024 ambush of nearly 100 UN aid trucks underscore the scale of predation — much of it taking place with the tacit allowance of the IDF .
While Israeli officials have denied supporting militia looting, a UN memo described Israeli military zones as operating with “passive, if not active benevolence” toward armed groups . In a rare break, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly confirmed supplying arms to anti-Hamas clans — including Abu Shabab’s faction — dismissing criticism with the question: “What’s bad about that?” . He framed it as a strategic move to diminish Hamas’ dominance and reduce Israeli military casualties .
Support allegedly includes Israeli-provided Kalashnikovs and logistical aid . Yasser Abu Shabab remains evasive, denying Israeli arms deliveries while asserting PA backing . Nonetheless, multiple intelligence and opposition sources have alleged links between his group and extremist networks like ISIS or IS‑affiliated clans operating from Sinai .
Based in eastern Rafah, these factions have aggressively targeted aid convoys still entering Gaza. Equipment trucks are detained, weapons pointed at drivers — drivers beaten, kidnapped, and held for ransom . When such gangs demand “protection fees” — reportedly over $4,000 per truck — they operate largely unchallenged, thanks to the collapse of Gaza’s local police under Israeli bombardment .
Aid organizations, including UNRWA and OCHA, have repeatedly complained that Israeli restrictions, dangerous routes, and this rising criminality are obstructing life‑saving deliveries . In June alone, four to five Palestinians were killed during aid distributions in Rafah, with Israeli forces claiming threat on active zones as justification while Palestinian medics refute that narrative .
The fragmentation of civil order extends beyond aid looting. Following Israeli attacks on police and security personnel perceived as Hamas affiliates, Gaza’s law enforcement apparatus has effectively collapsed . This vacuum has emboldened militias and criminal gangs — some of which have reportedly killed off-duty police. Hamas has occasionally redeployed security units or loyalist militias to combat gangs, imposing vigilante justice .
One Reuters source affirms: “Hamas’s security control dropped to under 20%,” while internal efforts are ongoing to reclaim order in the south .
International observers and Israeli opposition figures alike warn that harnessing criminal militias is a dangerous gamble. Avigdor Lieberman — a former defense minister — described the policy as empowering “criminal gangs” with potential ISIS links . Critics warn that short‑term gains could compound Gaza’s instability, empower extremist elements, and erode Israel’s moral standing.
Human rights advocates underscore that weaponizing aid and criminality further damages a battered civilian population. The assistance system — already strained by politicized distribution and supply interruptions — now faces armed factions controlling vehicles, food, and medicine .
Israel’s strategy emerges from a paradox: determined to dismantle Hamas yet unwilling to empower the Palestinian Authority’s limited capacity in Gaza. Netanyahu’s administration favors tribal militia proxies as alternatives, while the PA remains sidelined .
Egypt and others have proposed international peacekeeping or PA-led governance in Gaza, but Israel has rejected these proposals, wary of emboldening Mahmoud Abbas’s authority .
On the ground, however, the Popular Forces lack legitimacy and popular support. Abu Shabab has been disowned by his own family for “supporting the Zionist occupation forces.” Still, he continues to distribute aid to a limited population in eastern Rafah — a geography still under Israeli control .
Analysts warn the policy’s consequences may outlast Israel’s military goals:
1. Empowerment of criminal networks that could morph into extremist factions or become entrenched political actors.
2. Entrenchment of anarchy, as rival groups compete for territory and resources, turning Gaza into fragmented fiefdoms.
3. Diminished prospects for reconciliation, as Gazans recoil from non‑representative armed rule backed by external powers.
4. International condemnation, seeing the use of humanitarian aid as a coercive tool.
UN agencies have repeatedly highlighted the “grossly insufficient” level of aid reaching Gaza . Meanwhile, Israeli tactics — bypassing UN systems in favor of GHF distribution under military oversight — introduce risks of politicizing aid and jeopardizing civilian safety .
With no cease‑fire in place, Gaza’s collapse appears to be accelerating on multiple fronts — humanitarian, security, political. If militarized aid networks solidify and criminal militias grow in influence, the expectation of a post‑Hamas Gaza under civilian rule becomes more elusive.
Any stabilized outcome would require disarming criminal factions, restoring neutral governance, and rebuilding legitimate security forces — goals far removed from current realities.
Even Israeli voices now question the wisdom of empowering gangs. One critique from Israeli security circles warns that such “chaos will come back to haunt us” — suggesting future blowback .
As Gaza endures one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters — over 54,000 killed including thousands near aid sites — the region risks descending further into fractured militia rule. The short‑term benefit of breaking Hamas' hold may ultimately give way to a longer‑term nightmare of criminal warlord governance — complicating any path to peace or reconstruction.
In summary, Israel’s armament of criminally‑linked, anti‑Hamas militias like Yasser Abu Shabab’s Popular Forces has disrupted Hamas control but at a perilous cost: Gaza’s descent into lawlessness, politicization of aid, and the rise of militias devoid of civilian mandate. Without international oversight, neutral distribution channels, or plans to demilitarize these groups, the region risks replacement of one authority with multiple self‑appointed ones — leaving Gaza’s civilians to bear the consequences.
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