Why is Israel supporting Palestinian militia Abu Shabab? | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Abu Shaab: A Palestinian militia in Gaza allegedly armed by Israel.
• Hamas: The dominant political and military force in Gaza.
• Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF): A private American group backed by Israel and the US, providing aid to Gaza.
• Aid looting: Organized criminal gangs looting aid convoys entering Gaza.
• Forced displacement: Concerns that aid is being used to pressure Gazans to move.
• Ethnic cleansing/Transfer: Allegations of a long-term Israeli strategy involving displacement of Palestinians.

Abu Shaab and Allegations of Israeli Support

The video explores the controversial claim that Israel is arming a Palestinian militia called Abu Shaab in Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu's stated rationale is to weaken Hamas and protect IDF soldiers. However, the video questions the effectiveness of this strategy, citing reports that Abu Shaab is a small group (a few hundred people) and has not engaged in any battles or operations against Hamas.

Aid Looting and Potential Israeli Complicity

The video highlights the issue of aid looting in Gaza. UN officials complained about armed groups looting aid convoys, specifically mentioning an incident in November where nearly 100 UN trucks carrying flour were looted. An internal UN memo obtained by the Washington Post suggests that these gangs may be benefiting from "passive if not active benevolence" from the Israeli military. The video implies that Israel may be allowing the looting to occur, potentially as a way to control the flow of aid and exert pressure on the population.

Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and Concerns of Forced Displacement

The video connects Abu Shaab to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private American group backed by both Israel and the US. A video posted by Abu Shaab on Facebook appears to show the group near aid trucks provided by the GHF. The GHF has been accused by the UN and other organizations of making aid conditional and using it to pressure Gazans to move, raising fears of forced displacement. Abu Shaab itself has called on Palestinians to move, further fueling these suspicions.

Long-Term Strategy or Short-Term Gain?

The video questions whether Abu Shaab is part of a long-term Israeli strategy for Gaza or simply a short-term tactic. The speaker expresses skepticism, suggesting that the Israeli government lacks a coherent plan for the future of Gaza and that Netanyahu's primary motivation is to maintain his government. The speaker also suggests that the situation might be a "test" to see if ethnic cleansing or transfer is possible.

Notable Quotes:

• "They did not engage in any battles against Hamas. They did not engage in any operations against Hamas."
• "...passive if not active benevolence even protection from the Israeli military." (Referring to the UN's assessment of the Israeli military's role in aid looting)
• "My feeling is that the Israeli government have no plan for the future of Gaza...some vision about ethnic cleansing cleansing about transfer."

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The video presents a critical perspective on Israel's actions in Gaza, raising serious questions about the arming of Abu Shaab, the issue of aid looting, and the potential for forced displacement. It suggests that Israel's actions may be driven by short-term political considerations rather than a coherent long-term strategy, and that there are concerns about potential ethnic cleansing or transfer of Palestinians. The video relies on reports, UN memos, and statements from various sources to support its claims.