Israel utilizes local militias for operations in Gaza

Reports indicate that Israel is expanding the use of local criminal gangs, drug dealers, and paid militias within the Gaza Strip to carry out operations. According to an investigation by Haaretz, these armed groups are reportedly acting as an “operational arm” for the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet.

Five major armed groups have been deployed across specific areas, including Beit Hanoun, Shuja'iyya, Deir al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and Rafah. An Israeli Air Force officer stated that these groups are being armed and trained to perform tasks that could involve war crimes, such as firing on civilians, looting homes, and forcibly removing families from shelters.

The current situation has drawn comparisons to the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre in Lebanon, with warnings that the use of these local proxies could lead to similar atrocities against Palestinian civilians.