Anna Hartz
The Gaza Warlord Backed by Israel
Gaza has been torn apart by war. Whole neighborhoods lie in ruins. In the middle of this destruction, a small group has gained attention.
The Popular Forces, a militia with a few hundred fighters, now controls parts of Rafah and Khan Younis, according to Digi24.
Their leader is Yasser Abu Shabab. Most Palestinians dislike him. But he has one powerful backer—Israel.
Hopes to Inspire Others
Abu Shabab and his fighters have received weapons from Israel, including AK-47 rifles. They are allowed to operate in parts of Gaza where other Palestinians are not.
Israel doesn’t think Abu Shabab will rule Gaza. Instead, they hope his militia will hurt Hamas and maybe push other groups to rise up against it.
But this is not the first time Israel has backed a small group to weaken a bigger enemy. In the 1980s, they supported the Islamic Society of Gaza to fight Fatah. That group later became Hamas.
Some think history may repeat itself. Abu Shabab claims he’s a Palestinian nationalist. He says he’s fighting Islamic extremists.
The Tribe Betrayed Him
But the UN blames his fighters for attacks on humanitarian convoys. They’ve looted aid trucks and killed drivers. While he says he shares stolen supplies with the poor, most aid is sold at high prices.
Even his own tribe, the Tarabin, has turned its back on him. Years ago, they were involved in smuggling across the Gaza-Egypt border.
They once cooperated with ISIS fighters in the Sinai region. But after ISIS attacked their people, the tribe joined Egypt’s army to fight back. Now, they want nothing to do with Abu Shabab.
Israel says this partnership is temporary. But some fear it could backfire. Like before, the enemy of your enemy might become your enemy too.
Netanyahu hasn’t said who should rule Gaza after the war. For now, his government’s main plan is to back a man many see as a warlord in a stolen helmet—someone even his own family doesn’t stand behind.