A covert Israeli effort to impose alternative rule in Gaza by arming criminal gangs is quickly unraveling, as Palestinian resistance forces intensify operations against the so-called "Popular Forces".

The gang, led by Yasser Abu Shabab—a former convict turned militia leader—is facing fierce and sustained attacks from local resistance groups determined to protect Gaza’s sovereignty.

For months, Israel has quietly armed and sheltered gangs composed of former criminals, tasking them with disrupting humanitarian aid, intimidating civilians, and spreading instability in areas under partial Israeli military control. Now, that strategy is backfiring. Resistance fighters have killed at least 50 members of Abu Shabab’s group in recent operations, with clashes continuing around Rafah, particularly near the Kerem Shalom crossing.

A Manufactured Proxy: Criminals Rebranded as ‘Leaders’

Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of the militia, was serving a 25-year sentence for drug trafficking when he escaped from a Gaza prison during the initial Israeli bombardments in October 2023. Shortly after, he resurfaced in Rafah and reportedly reconnected with Israeli intelligence services.

According to investigative reporting by Maariv, Israel’s Shin Bet security agency personally backed the formation of Abu Shabab’s militia as a pilot program to test the feasibility of alternative governance in Gaza. The idea was to create localized control zones where these gangs—armed and directed by Israel—would act as surrogate rulers, countering Hamas and other resistance movements.

However, this plan was not built on leadership or legitimacy. It was built on desperation. The so-called “Popular Forces” were made up of former prisoners, known drug traffickers, and violent offenders—men with no record of public service, popular support, or commitment to Palestinian liberation.

Deputy leader Ghassan Al-Dahini, for instance, has a history of corruption and was previously affiliated with smuggling networks and discredited militant outfits. Another senior member, Issam al-Nabahin, was convicted of murdering a Palestinian police officer and escaped prison during Israel’s assault. These are not freedom fighters—they are collaborators for hire, and Palestinians know the difference.

Disrupting Aid, Serving Occupation

Operating primarily near the Kerem Shalom (Karam Abu Salem) crossing—one of Gaza’s most vital supply routes—the gang has systematically blocked aid convoys, looted humanitarian supplies, and resold them to desperate civilians at inflated prices. This tactic not only enriches the gang but also furthers Israel’s strategic goal of weaponizing humanitarian aid.

In effect, these militias serve as middlemen for the occupation. While Israel publicly claims to facilitate limited aid entry, it privately backs the looting and rerouting of that same aid through proxy gangs it controls.

Palestinian civilians, already suffering under blockade, bombardment, and famine, are now forced to contend with armed criminals exploiting their desperation—under the protection of the very army responsible for their displacement and suffering.

Resistance Strikes Back

But the Palestinian resistance has responded forcefully. The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, along with other factions and local security forces, have launched a coordinated campaign to neutralize Abu Shabab’s network. Operations have intensified in eastern Rafah, where the militia is entrenched under Israeli military cover.

A video released by Al-Qassam in May showed an ambush targeting gang members—an unmistakable warning to all collaborators. Resistance sources confirm that surveillance, intelligence gathering, and ground operations are ongoing, with the aim of eradicating all Israeli-sponsored militias from Gaza.

The resistance sees these gangs not just as criminals, but as part of the occupation infrastructure—tools used to divide, demoralize, and destroy the Palestinian social fabric from within.

An Unholy Alliance Exposed

The Israeli military’s repeated drone interventions during clashes—with the sole purpose of rescuing gang members—further confirms the direct link between the occupation and these armed militias. By protecting the gang, Israel has shown that its commitment to destabilizing Gaza goes beyond bombs and blockades—it now includes sponsoring chaos through criminal proxies.

Despite Israeli propaganda portraying the gang as part of “Palestinian legitimacy,” Palestinian authorities have universally rejected any association. Major General Anwar Rajab, spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority’s security services, made it clear: “Our security services do not cooperate with groups operating under individual names or foreign agendas.”

This denial underscores a broader Palestinian consensus: there can be no legitimacy for any force that collaborates with the occupation or serves its colonial objectives.

A Failing Experiment in Occupation by Proxy

Israel’s attempt to establish an alternative order in Gaza through gang violence is not only unethical—it is failing. The Palestinian people have refused to be ruled by criminals in military uniforms or by puppets propped up by a foreign army.

Instead of weakening the resistance, this strategy has strengthened it. It has revealed the depths to which Israel is willing to descend to maintain control over a land and people that continue to reject occupation in all its forms.

The collapse of Abu Shabab’s network is more than just a tactical win—it’s a political message: Palestinians will not allow their liberation movement to be hijacked by mercenaries, nor will they accept governance at gunpoint from criminals wearing the mask of authority.

As Gaza continues to resist not only bombs but betrayal, one thing is clear: no matter how many weapons Israel provides to its collaborators, the will of a free people remains more powerful than the tools of their oppressors. (ILKHA)