Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement of arming certain Palestinian clans in Gaza represents yet another reckless escalation rooted in flawed security policies that threaten to deepen chaos rather than restore stability. The government’s decision to supply weapons to these groups, supposedly to combat Hamas, ignores the long-term danger of empowering criminal factions with dubious loyalties and a history of looting humanitarian aid, undermining any genuine effort to establish peace or order in the region.
In a disturbingly cavalier social media statement, Netanyahu insisted that arming clans opposed to Hamas was “on the advice of security officials,” claiming it would “save the lives of Israeli soldiers.” But this shortsighted rhetoric masks a perilous gamble that risks legitimising violence and amplifying local conflicts — tactics reminiscent of failed strategies in Iraq and Afghanistan that only prolonged instability under the guise of security. Such reckless policies threaten to turn Gaza into a powder keg of clan rivalries, further destabilising the region and placing innocent civilians at even greater risk.
Critics across the political spectrum have condemned this move, warning that it amounts to arming armed gangs whose allegiances are ambiguous at best. Netanyahu’s allies may justify these actions as necessary, but they are fundamentally short-sighted, with opposition voices rightly fearing that such an approach will backfire, escalating violence and ultimately undermining Israel’s security. The decision to facilitate criminal groups' involvement—some reportedly with links to jihadist organisations—raises serious questions about the legitimacy of Israel’s broader strategy, especially when it risks turning Gaza into a lawless, uncontrollable mess.
Furthermore, the relationships between these clans and Israeli forces have ignited outrage within Gaza itself. Yasser Abu Shabab’s family publicly disowned him after he was implicated in collaborating with Israeli troops, highlighting the societal fractures and the peril of legitimising collaboration with armed factions. Humanitarian agencies have also voiced alarm, with reports that aid delivery is being systematically looted by gangs operating under Israeli oversight—an outcome that exacerbates the suffering of Gaza’s already devastated civilian population.
The human toll continues to mount, with over 54,000 casualties since Hamas's attack in October 2023, and children suffering from severe malnutrition amid collapsing healthcare services. Israel’s current military tactics, combined with internal political chaos, threaten to deepen the humanitarian catastrophe. The instability is further compounded by the internal divisions within Israel’s ruling coalition, as factions like the ultra-Orthodox Shas party threaten to bring down the government over stalled attempts to exempt their community from military service—distractions that undermine any coherent strategy and weaken Israel’s position in an already complex crisis.
By turning to local clans as a means of governance, the Israeli government risks recreating a precedent of colonial-style reliance on fragmented local power structures, much like the disastrous efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Such an approach is unlikely to foster stability but rather to entrench clan rivalries, inviting further chaos and prolonging the suffering of ordinary Palestinians. Without a clear and principled framework guiding this risky policy, it’s evident that Israel’s strategy is more about quick fixes than genuine long-term solutions, leaving the region on a perilous path to further destabilisation.
As the conflict continues to spiral out of control, it is crucial to question the wisdom of arming factions that could become future enemies. The dangerous combination of military brinkmanship, internal political discord, and societal upheaval signals that the region’s descent into further turmoil is imminent unless a fundamentally different and responsible approach is adopted—one rooted in diplomacy, accountability, and respect for human rights, not reckless escalation.
Source: Noah Wire Services