Yedioth Ahronoth: Israel Spends Tens of Millions on Armed Gangs in Gaza

Translation by SadaNews - The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Friday that Israel is spending tens of millions of shekels on armed gangs that serve it in various areas of the Gaza Strip.

The newspaper attempted, due to military censorship, to rely on some information that was revealed a few days ago in a report by the Wall Street Journal, as it inferred between the lines from the American newspaper's report to publish many details about the funding of those groups.

The Hebrew newspaper confirms, as translated by SadaNews, that the Shin Bet, in cooperation with the Israeli army, manages these armed gangs, asserting that they are supplied with large quantities of weapons and ammunition. This is also confirmed by the American newspaper's report.

Medical treatment is provided to them by Israel, in addition to providing food, drinks, and other essentials for them and their families in their areas of operation or even for some families, a small number of which live in their residential areas, and they are primarily individuals with a serious criminal record.

The Israeli supplies provided to the Gaza gangs include fuel, food, vehicles, and even cigarettes, which helps them remain stable in the yellow line area, among Israeli army sites, alongside the soldiers, so the amount spent on them reaches tens of millions of shekels from the military budget.

The Hebrew newspaper indicated that there are disagreements within Israel regarding this project of armed gangs, with some viewing it as a tactical contribution to support the security system and spare Israeli soldiers from security risks, while others see it as a project that contains a strategic danger represented by the possibility of tipping the balance, especially since no gang has declared full support for Israel or abandoned its Palestinian national aspirations. There is also practical criticism related to the fact that these gangs have not united under an organizational umbrella capable of genuinely challenging Hamas's regime and its military wing.

Yedioth Ahronoth does not rule out that these gangs may be relied upon as a short-term tactical solution by sending their elements to search for Hamas members in the tunnels within the yellow line area, or above ground among the rubble of destroyed homes, or to arrest suspects sent by Hamas to the yellow line, in order to limit any danger that may threaten the Israeli army soldiers.

The newspaper states, as translated by SadaNews, "But as long as these groups operate without a unifying organization, they have no chance of survival or the ability to displace Hamas from the scene while the movement is regaining its strength and strengthening its control over its territories since the ceasefire."

The newspaper notes that there are fears among Israeli entities that these gangs may later turn against Israel, which has happened before when members of the Palestinian Authority actively participated in the second intifada using weapons that Tel Aviv allowed to be introduced for the benefit of the authority in the 1990s, or they could engage in disreputable acts like the gang supported by Israel in Lebanon when it committed the Sabra and Shatila massacre, a massacre that shook the entire world. It adds: "Nevertheless, it is doubtful that anyone in the political system, especially on the right, will now call on the political leadership not to arm those Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip."

The Hebrew newspaper quotes a source familiar with the situation in Gaza, stating that "the clans are scattered according to different perceptions: in Rafah, they are seen as criminals driven by financial motives, while in the central Gaza, they are viewed as Palestinian nationalists." The newspaper comments, "If this is true, there is no guarantee that they will not turn against Israel one day, or at least demand the right to self-determination, so strategically, this explosive project carries many long-term problems, and Hamas is currently mainly focused on identifying and executing gang activists for treason."

The Hebrew newspaper referenced what was reported in the Wall Street Journal's American report that Israel closely monitors the activities of the armed gangs and even intervenes to rescue them from many events they face.