Israel’s military actions in Gaza have significantly hindered Hamas, removing many of its top leaders and creating a power vacuum that other groups and militias are now looking to fill. Some of these new players have managed to gather enough strength to challenge Hamas, which had previously maintained tight control over the region.
Recently, on a Tuesday, certain gangs, including a faction led by a warlord named Yasser Abu Shabaab, known as the al-Astar gang, have come to prominence. Other groups, known collectively as the Popular Army, are also part of this new mix. There’s been some tension too, with these emerging groups contemplating how to deal with Hamas, including potential collaboration with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to abduct Hamas members and hand them over to Israeli authorities.
The IDF has indeed been involved with these gangs, providing them with weapons and other resources taken from Hamas. Israeli officials confirmed this arrangement back in June. Critics, however, have voiced concerns about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy, arguing that arming these groups, which have ties to terrorism, poses risks. Netanyahu justified the collaboration by suggesting it would protect IDF soldiers, labeling the leak of this information as beneficial only to Hamas.
Leaders of some of these larger gangs are positioning themselves as more favorable alternatives to the traditional Palestinian leadership for governing a post-war Gaza. However, this cooperation with Israelis has sparked outrage among many Palestinians. For instance, Abu Shabaab has faced backlash, especially from the Tababin tribe, which publicly disowned him over his connections with the IDF.
One individual involved with the Popular Army expressed frustration with Hamas, stating that for years it only cared about money and taxes, rather than the people’s welfare, especially during times of conflict. This sentiment resonates among rival militias, as they reflect on how Hamas violently ousted the Palestinian Authority from Gaza back in 2007, establishing a reign marked by violence and corruption. Hamas has often justified its fierce actions against rival gangs by claiming a desire to eliminate criminal activity, while many of those gangs are now relying on Israeli support to counter Hamas.
A Gaza-based author remarked that Hamas’s effectiveness in dismantling rival militias was unmatched by any other force, including the Palestinian Authority. Just last week, Hamas attempted to clamp down on a gang known as the Al-Mujaida clan, but suffered a significant defeat. This clan celebrated its victory by parading the bodies of 11 Hamas fighters, marking the first time a Palestinian militia has managed to overcome Hamas since the war began.
Interestingly, many of these gangs are viewed as modern-day Robin Hoods, stealing but, in a way, helping the Palestinian populace. They aggressively defend their territories, but still engage in theft from civilians and, in some cases, even pilfer humanitarian aid—much like Hamas did. Reports suggest that Hamas is hesitant to commit to any peace plan, fearing that doing so would put its members at risk from rival gangs. Militia leaders indicate they are successfully recruiting hundreds of fighters weekly as Hamas’s hold weakens, with many civilians seeking sanctuary under their protection.
One militia leader stated, “More than 80% of the population does not want Hamas. I invite everyone who believes in peace to join us. This is not a secret.”
