Israel Uses Gaza Militias as Proxies Against Hamas, Report Claims

Palestinian armed groups in Gaza are increasingly functioning as proxies for the Israeli military (IDF) and Shin Bet, according to an investigation by Haaretz. The report, based on satellite imagery, social media mapping, and military testimonies, claims that Israel provides these groups with protection, artillery, and drone support.

“

The cooperation in question has made the roles between the armed groups and the army increasingly difficult to distinguish.

These militias are reportedly working to counter Hamas, a strategy that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged, stating that such cooperation aligns with Israel's security interests. However, the lines between these armed groups and the Israeli military have become blurred, with some Israeli soldiers describing a situation where the distinction is difficult to discern.

Testimonies from Israeli military personnel suggest that these groups operate with significant freedom, often moving near Israeli military posts, displaying their strength, and carrying out their own forms of punishment. One IDF soldier recounted witnessing an armed individual shoot another in the leg as a form of punishment, with Israeli soldiers present but not intervening. Another Israeli Air Force official described members of these groups raiding residential areas in pickup trucks, firing at civilians, looting homes, and setting buildings ablaze, all while Israeli forces allegedly provided cover.

“

He witnessed a dispute between factions where an armed man shot another in the leg as punishment, while Israeli soldiers merely watched.

The Haaretz report identifies at least five active militia bases in various Gaza areas, including Beit Hanoun, Shujaiyeh, Deir al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and Rafah. Satellite data indicates that while reconstruction efforts in many parts of Gaza remain stalled, these proxy bases are expanding, equipped with heavy machinery, reinforced concrete barriers, and mobile living units, with some equipment reportedly supplied directly by Israel.

“

The group members stormed residential areas using pickup trucks, shot civilians, looted homes, and burned buildings, while the Israeli army provided them with cover.

These groups, including the Popular Forces and Anti-Terrorism Attack Forces, are deployed along the separation lines for targeted operations, confiscating contraband, and forcibly displacing residents from areas under Israeli control. Senior Israeli defense officials and commanders have reportedly acknowledged privately that key leaders of these groups are not political figures but rather former gangsters, drug dealers, or ex-security officers acting on personal interests or seeking revenge against Hamas. The Israeli military leadership views this network of proxies as a temporary measure to maintain order in specific areas, acknowledging that these groups cannot sustain themselves militarily without ongoing Israeli protection. This development has also led to significant diplomatic tensions, particularly concerning peace efforts.

“

Senior Israeli defense officials and commanders have privately acknowledged that the main leaders of these groups are not political figures, but rather former gangsters, drug dealers, or former security officers acting on personal interests or a desire for revenge against Hamas.