Israel Arming Gaza Militia to Fight Hamas: Officials

Netanyahu Acknowledges Country Worked with Palestinian Clans, Calls It 'a Good Thing'

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JERUSALEM — Israel has been arming a Palestinian militia in the Gaza Strip as part of a broader effort to fight Hamas in the enclave, according to officials.

After a day-long controversy over the allegations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged on June 5 that the country had been working with "clans in Gaza."

Two Israeli officials and another person familiar with the matter said the Israeli authorities had provided support, including weapons, to Yasser Abu Shabab, a well-known gunman who leads the militia in southern Gaza.

They spoke on condition of anonymity.

Abu Shabab is believed to command a relatively small armed group in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. He became notorious in the territory in 2024 amid accusations — which he disputed — that he had looted and resold truckloads of humanitarian aid intended for hungry Gaza residents.

One of the people described Israel's move as more symbolic — to bolster the impression that Hamas was losing its grip over Gaza's Palestinian residents.

It was not clear what effect the move to arm a Palestinian militia would have on the security situation in Gaza.

But Israel's decision offered a window into the country's struggles to find an alternative to Hamas' rule in the territory after more than 1½ years of war — and its willingness to experiment with potentially risky strategies to do so.

Mr. Netanyahu said Israel had "activated clans in Gaza that oppose Hamas," calling it "a good thing" that saved the lives of Israeli soldiers.