World in 10 The Palestinian force working with Israel to overthrow Hamas
Jul 8, 2025
Afzal Ashraf, an international relations and security expert and former senior officer in the UK Armed Forces, delves into the chaotic landscape in Gaza. He discusses how armed clans are stepping up against Hamas amid growing lawlessness, emphasizing the risks of civil war. Ashraf explores Israel's pragmatic cooperation with these groups, fueled by mutual interests and resource struggles. He also highlights the urgent need for Palestinian unity to navigate the crisis, raising critical questions about leadership and international support for stability in the region.
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Israel's Strategy of Arming Opponents
- Israel has a history of arming groups opposing Hamas as a strategic ploy.
- This complex tactic aims to destabilize Hamas by fostering internal conflict within Gaza.
Popular Forces as Criminals, Not Ideologues
- Yasser Abu Shabab's Popular Forces group is primarily criminal, not ideologically motivated.
- Information about the group is unreliable due to sophisticated information management and propaganda.
Utilitarian Cooperation with Armed Groups
- Israel cooperates with armed groups in Gaza on a utilitarian level, exploiting their needs and vulnerabilities.
- These criminal groups are flexible and easy to manipulate, lacking ideological constraints.