A new Palestinian militia called "Popular Forces" has emerged in the Gaza Strip, declaring that it aims to oppose Hamas and end its rule in the area. The group, made up of about 300 armed men, operates in the eastern Rafah area under the leadership of Yasser Abu Shabab, a Bedouin in his 30s with a controversial reputation and criminal past, Euronews reports.
According to an interview given to Euronews, "Popular Forces" says it is not a political party and does not wage guerrilla warfare, but only protects humanitarian convoys from corruption and looting. They present themselves as volunteers from the people who provide security for aid intended for the civilian population and claim to have lost over 50 people in attacks by Hamas.
However, there is no shortage of contradictions. Abu Shabab was convicted of smuggling cigarettes and drugs, and was held in a Hamas prison until October 7, 2023, before the war allowed him to escape. His relatives and former associates claim that his current "organization" is a clan structure, not a real alternative. Journalist Rami Abu Jamous commented: "Imagine if Pablo Escobar became president of Colombia. This is what it looks like."
A particularly strong reaction was caused by a statement by Abu Shabab on the air of the Israeli radio KAN, where he admitted to coordinating with the Israeli army in Rafah, although he later denied the interview. This raises questions about Israel's true role in creating and supporting such groups.
Former Israeli intelligence officers warn that Israel risks arming the "wrong players" again, as it did in Lebanon and with its early support for the Muslim Brotherhood, a strategic mistake that led to the rise of Hamas itself. "We seem to have learned nothing from history," says analyst Michal Milstein.
Israeli officials, such as Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahum, defend the approach as "necessary pragmatism" in a power vacuum. However, experts are skeptical that the Popular Forces or other similar groups can realistically replace the well-organized and structured Hamas system.
Meanwhile, other civilian groups in Gaza are also trying to independently protect humanitarian supplies, but they operate locally and without overall coordination. The question of whether armed clan militias can be a path to governance after Hamas remains controversial.
There is currently no third viable political alternative in Gaza. Israel rejects the return of the Palestinian Authority, and the other players - Egypt, the UAE, the US - have not yet offered a sustainable model.
And while Gaza is mired in a humanitarian catastrophe, the struggle for control is being waged not only with rockets, but also with propaganda, local militias and dangerous alliances.