Israel has adopted a new and highly controversial tactic in its campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip—recruiting local gangs and ISIS-affiliated armed groups to fight on its behalf. This was acknowledged by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video message released on Thursday (June 5), prompting sharp criticism both domestically and internationally.
In the video, Netanyahu stated that, based on advice from security officials, certain local clans and family members within Gaza have been activated to combat Hamas. However, he did not explicitly admit that many of these individuals are part of criminal gangs or have been involved in looting humanitarian aid convoys.
According to reports from Israeli media outlets Haaretz and The Times of Israel, one of the groups working with Israel is closely linked to the Islamic State (ISIS). This group, reportedly led by Yasser Abu Shabab—a prominent figure from a powerful tribe in southern Gaza—has been receiving direct military support from Israel.
Military sources told The Times of Israel that the gang has been armed with weapons seized from Hamas, among other supplies. The group is currently active in Rafah, in areas under Israeli military control.
Hamas recently released a video showing its fighters attacking members of these gangs, further fueling criticism of Netanyahu’s strategy.
Avigdor Lieberman, former Israeli defense minister and current opposition leader, condemned the approach, saying, “Just as Israel once funded Hamas to counter the PLO, Netanyahu’s government is now creating another armed group to counter Hamas.”
On the same day Netanyahu made his statement, at least 70 Palestinians were reportedly killed in Israeli airstrikes. Human rights organizations have warned that this new tactic will likely escalate violence rather than bring peace.
Analysts argue that Israel’s use of such groups risks inciting civil conflict within Palestinian society and could severely worsen the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
