Israel continues arming gangs in Gaza

JVL Introduction

Israel claims it is not against the people of Gaza but against Hamas and it seems to be willing to work with anyone who may help it undermine Hamas, even though Hamas has promised to leave the Gaza Strip, comply with the Trump peace plan even though it is heavily weighted in Israel’s favour. During the bombardment Israel protected some gangs, eg by moving them into areas under Israeli control and in 2025 Netanyahu was open about Israel arming clans opposed to Hamas in Gaza.

These gangs also took control of aid as this first person report from June 2025 shows: “I saw them – the gang with rifles. They stopped a truck and pulled the driver out. Beat him. Then they took everything. Later that night, the flour they stole was being sold in the market for 850 shekels (about $240) a sack.” 

This support has not ended with the so called “ceasefire” and Israel continues to try to fracture society in Gaza from within as well as through its campaign of rampant destruction.  As this Haaretz report below tells us: “Israel now runs a network including five prominent militias that have become the operational branch of the IDF and the Shin Bet in Gaza.”

It is worth remembering that “Some of the people Israel is arming and empowering, such as Yasser Abu Shabab*, were previously jailed for murder, drug trafficking, and other very serious crimes – even for spying for Israel”. 

*Abu Shabab was killed in December 2023 but the force he led continues.

This article was originally published by Haaretz on Fri 28 Aug 2026. Read the original here.