This article is an in-depth compilation, for exchange and learning only, and does not represent Rixinshuo's views
A week since the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect, Gaza has shown a scary picture.In a widely circulated video, seven blind men are kneeling down on the ground, with a group of militants standing behind them.
These appalling scenes seem to be repressive actions taken by Hamas to regain control of Gaza. The organization claims that it is eliminating gangs and criminal groups that have bred in the war of the past two years. In the eyes of Israel and its allies, these massacres reveal the true face of Hamas. It also seems to predict what action the organization might take in the future if it is allowed to retain some of its power.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that “Hamas continues to act barbarily and irresponsibly as the greatest threat to the Israeli and Palestinian people” and stressed that Israel will “strongly retaliate” against Hamas’ “tyranny.”
The U.S. Department of State said in a statement that “if Hamas carries out an attack, it will take measures to protect the people of Gaza and safeguard the integrity of the ceasefire” and that “a Washington Post article blamed Hamas for the possible breaking of the ceasefire, noting that “terrorist atrocities would likely spark a civil war in Palestine.”
But this gradually emerging claim ignores a key background: many groups currently fighting against Hamas are obtaining weapons, supplies and asylum from Israel. Even if Israel has signed a ceasefire agreement, this support continues. As Israeli troops withdraw from parts of Gaza, the leadership of these armed groups also withdraws, allowing the militants to expand their forces and publicly call against Hamas.
Experts interviewed by Responsible Foreign Policy (RS) pointed out that supporting anti-Hamas militants is part of Israel’s long-standing policy of inciting political division in Palestine. In order to prevent the rise of unified Palestinian nationalist leadership, Israel frequently provides assistance to smaller and less politically engaged factions. In the Gaza Strip, this strategy has expanded to highly controversial groups, including those led by criminals and organizations with links to the Islamic State (ISIS).
Today, Israel's leadership, which is skeptical of a lasting ceasefire, seems to be reaping the rewards of this strategy.“ We are witnessing these groups trying to sow the seeds of civil strife and destabilize the situation in Gaza,Tahani Mustafa, a visiting scholar at the European Council on Foreign Relations and an expert on Palestinian affairs, pointed out, "This is extremely dangerous-Israel may restart the war with just a little excuse."
“At any cost” to prevent Palestinian reunification
Israel's "divide and rule" strategy can be traced back to the early days of the occupation. At that time, Israeli leaders tried to jointly govern the West Bank and Gaza Strip through a "village alliance" formed with apolitical Palestinian leaders. The move aims to find a governance option outside the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)-which advocates the liberation of Palestine by force.
At the end of the 1980s, Israel began to provide limited support to the Islamists in Gaza because Israel believed that these Islamists were less politically threatened than the radicals of the PA. But this balance was broken when Hamas, initially backed by Israel, began attacking Israeli civilians. Meanwhile, the PA transformed into a Palestinian authority, now working closely with Israel in security affairs.
After the Palestinian Civil War in 2007, Israel was mainly committed to maintaining the confrontation between the Palestinian Autonomous Government and Hamas. At times, this means acquiescing in Hamas rule in Gaza, including through Netanyahu's controversial policy of allowing Qatar to fund the Hamas-controlled Gaza government.
Since the outbreak of this round of conflict, Israel has proposed a post-war Gaza management plan, with tribal leaders managing the enclave's affairs. As part of that policy, Israeli officials, with the tacit approval of the United States, tried to establish connections with influential local families. Sometimes this simply means leaving behind weapons and materiel when Israeli troops withdraw from the area concerned, but sometimes it is more direct.
“The Syndicate of the Israeli Homeland Security Agency (SIMBET) actively calls relevant persons or sends intermediaries to convey a clear message: ‘Weapons here, money here, your task is to challenge Hamas’,” said Mohammad Shehada, a close observer of the war in Gaza and a guest researcher at the European Committee on Foreign Relations, “Al no clan as a whole has agreed to cooperate, members within the clan have indeed accepted cooperation.”
The Dugmush family, which Israel tried to woo, is one of them, and many members of this family have been publicly executed in recent weeks. The family's complicated relationship with Hamas stems in part from the fact that one of its influential leaders once led the "Islamic State" branch that fought against Hamas in Gaza.
According to family leader Nizar Doghmush, at the request of Israel, a few members of the family have recently begun attacks on Hamas, which he himself has condemned. This has exacerbated tensions.
Shehada pointed out that as the war in Gaza continued, Israel turned to cooperate with less glorious figures after the major tribes were defeated in recruiting. New evidence suggests Israel is supporting at least four different Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip, which are currently in low-intensity conflict with Hamas.
Mustafa pointed out that one of the organizations led by Yasir Abu Shabab, who is notorious in Gaza for alleged drug trafficking, arms smuggling and a clear link to the “Islamic State” on the Sinai Peninsula. Abu Shabaab’s “people’s force” is notorious in Gaza for allegedly robbing aid trucks and reselling goods to the black market (Israeli officials are trying to re-pack Abbas as a “de-extremist civil society activist” according to Shahada).
Hussam al-Astar, who served in prison with Abu Shabaab in Gaza, initially served in the “People’s Forces” and formed a “Contra-Terrorist Corps” on a separate portal. Ashtar has publicly claimed to be cooperating with the Israeli military. At least once, Israel launched an airstrike to stop Hamas when Hamas militants attacked Ashtar’s fighters.
Hamas has also recently been in conflict with an organization called the “People’s Army” led by the previously unknown Ashraf al-Mansi. Similar to the “People’s Force,” the “People’s Army” is also operating within Israeli-controlled areas. According to Sky News, video evidence strongly indicates that Mansi’s troops are being supplied directly from the Israeli army.
Despite the brutality and lack of judicial process of repression, Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip generally support such actions. Mustafa pointed out: "Hamas has basically reorganized with other forces such as Fatah,[PLO Popular Front],[PLO Democratic Front], etc., in an attempt to restore law and order." He stressed that the need for such actions mainly comes from Gaza people tired of "lawlessness".
The exact extent to which these groups cooperate with Israel is difficult to determine, but Shehada pointed out that some of these groups work closely with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and carry out military operations on their behalf. Even more confusing-and questionable-is that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly admitted cooperating with certain organizations, but has not named them. Analysts believe that this allows Hamas to crack down on so-called "traitors."
For Israel, the alliance with the Palestinian partners in Gaza has a dual value: First, these organizations have little interest in Palestinian nationalism and their own narrow interests, which is precisely in the interest of Israel,” said Khaled Elgindy, a guest scholar at Georgetown University and former adviser to the Palestinian Authority.
Secondly, by transferring combat missions to the Palestinians, Israel can keep a distance from subsequent acts of violence.Erkindi told Responsible Foreign Policy: “These organizations have the great potential to create chaos, and to the outside world, this will be seen as an internal conflict in Palestine.”
Elkindi pointed out that the Israeli security establishment, which once spared no effort to maintain stability, now seems to believe that creating chaos is profitable. In the short term, the turmoil will create plenty of opportunities for Israel to resume all-out war in Gaza; in the long term, it will strengthen Israel's assertion that the Palestinians are too divided and militarized to negotiate in good faith.
Even more confusing is why the U.S. continues to support these policies.Mike Casey, who served as Palestinian official at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem between 2020 and 2024, noted that Washington’s support for Israel’s partitioning of the Palestinians has made the cycle of violence continue, while the U.S. has not taken any measures to stop it, as the Israeli government is obstructing the establishment of a Palestinian state and achieving Palestinian unity at all costs.
When Casey resigned from the U.S. State Department, one of the main reasons was his disappointment with the Joe Biden administration’s plans to support Israel’s plans for a post-war tribal government in Gaza, and we were just mechanically executing Israeli orders, not thinking at all about what was best in the interests of the United States, our interests, the Palestinian interests, and even Israel, “said Kathy Tanshi.
Casey's disappointment does not just point to an invalid policy document. When the "divide and rule" strategy is acquiesced to, and when weapons and funds flow into the hands of self-interested armed groups, the foundations of peace are eroded. Those figures falling in the video are the latest footnote to the chaos in this land. A divided situation may bring temporary "controllability", but once the seeds of hatred are planted, they will take root and sprout. The artillery fire can be suspended, but how can a torn society be repaired? For ordinary people who aspire to return to a peaceful life, what they need is by no means more armed gangs and more complex external games, but a truly responsible future that leads to lasting peace.
The situation in Gaza is complicated. What do you think of this strategy of "fighting chaos with violence"? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.
Author: Connor Echols is a journalist for Responsible Diplomacy and former executive editor of Non-Zero Communications.