Israel secretly supporting militants in Gaza to counter Hamas: Israeli paper

Israel has been secretly providing money, weapons, and on-the-ground protection to militant groups in the Gaza Strip as part of its attempts to combat the Hamas resistance movement, Israeli media reported.

According to a Friday report from the Israeli daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, foreign accounts suggest that the militants have received rifles and ammunition from Israel, in addition to logistical support that includes fuel, food, vehicles, and other necessities.

The report said that the support has allowed the militants to function in proximity to locations where Israeli forces are stationed, facilitating their entrenchment near zones controlled by Israel in the territory.

The assistance is estimated to cost tens of millions of shekels, sourced from the budget of the Israeli army.

Yedioth Ahronoth noted that these groups operate independently of formal command systems and are not directly monitored by the Israeli military or Israel’s so-called internal security service, Shin Bet. They are utilized for specific tactical purposes.

The roles reportedly involve locating Hamas fighters in tunnels or among debris close to Israeli positions, along with conducting abductions aimed at minimizing threats to Israeli soldiers.

The militant outfit, under the leadership of Yasser Abu Shabab prior to his death, was highlighted by the newspaper as the sole group conducting its activities so openly, sharing videos that conveyed a sense of confidence and a challenge to Hamas.

The report said the policy has faced backlash in the Israeli-occupied territories, with evaluations suggesting that the militants do not have the necessary organizational strength or public support to present a real threat to Hamas or its military faction.

Israeli collaborator Yasser Abu Shabab reportedly killed in Gaza

Israeli collaborator and militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab is reportedly killed in Gaza on Thursday, according to local media.

According to the newspaper, analysts have indicated that it is improbable for these groups to take the place of Hamas, which has reportedly been regaining its power and reinforcing its control throughout the ceasefire.

The report stated that the militants, without central leadership or a clear organization, face considerable challenges in their efforts to displace Hamas.

The article also highlighted similarities between Israel’s historical dependence on allied militants in Lebanon throughout the 1980s and the current situation, emphasizing that the legacy of the Sabra and Shatila massacre still influences both public opinion and international viewpoints.

It recalled that militants supported by Israel were responsible for mass killings of Palestinians during the first Lebanon war, prompting significant international outrage and condemnations directed at Israel and its armed forces.

Sabra and Shatila: 43 years since the 43 hours of Israeli horror that shook the world

Sabra and Shatila massacre, which took place this day 43 years ago, saw Israeli-backed Phalangist militias kill nearly 3,500 Palestinian civilians in Beirut refugee camps with US support.

A Yedioth Ahronoth report strongly confirms the Israeli regime’s involvement in the Sabra and Shatila massacre in collaboration with the Lebanese al-Kataeb militia led by Bashir Gemayel.

The Kataeb Party – known in English as the Phalanges or the Lebanese Phalanges Party – is a Christian political party in Lebanon. Its militia was the largest political paramilitary force in Lebanon. It is estimated that when fully mobilized at the time of the massacre, the Phalange had 5,000 militiamen, of whom 2,000 were full-time.

The report highlighted that senior military commanders in the Israeli army and high-ranking Kataeb officials held meetings to coordinate the massacre.

After the Phalangists had finished the killing, the bodies of dead children littered the streets like discarded dolls, with bullet holes in the back of their heads.

As the bloodbath concluded, Israel supplied bulldozers to dig mass graves.

In 1983, Israel’s investigative Kahan Commission found that Ariel Sharon, the then minister for military affairs, bore “personal responsibility” for the slaughter.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir