Netanyahu's Favourite Gazan.
Meet Yaser Abu Shabab.
Hamas is still standing despite losses of leadership, men, weapons, and, according to one operative, the loss of 80% of Gaza. Israel has turned the strip of land into a hellhole. Day in and day out, civilians pay the price and have done so since 7 October. When Hamas launched its attack on Israel. Israel is the most advanced and well-armed nation in the Middle East, and was always going to get the upper hand on the battlefield.
Hamas has fought the IDF asymmetrically from tunnels, from buildings, and some say among the population. The typical guerrilla campaign when confronting a far stronger enemy. For all its might on the battlefield, Israel has lost and is losing personnel. The war drags on with no end in sight. Netanyahu's goal of destroying Hamas and freeing the remaining hostages remains unmet.
Yet another ceasefire seems to be in the offing. Whether anything will come of it, I cannot say. Israel has been backing a militia called the 'Popular Forces'. Led by a sworn enemy of Hamas, Yaser Abu Shabab. A petty criminal imprisoned by Hamas. Abu Shabab's group protect convoys coming into Gaza and makes sure these supplies are allegedly handed over to Gazans in need.
When the IDF entered Rafah in 2024, Abu Yaser Shabab and his group emerged at this time. Hamas fired RPGs at him and his group, and the IDF responded by bombing them. The group are under Israeli protection. Talk emerged of a militia armed and funded by Israel taking on Hamas. The 'Popular Forces' would appear to be that group.
Israel would appear to be thinking long-term should the war end and Hamas fall. Israel may be grooming Abu Shabab to take over Gaza post- Hamas. Abu Shabab claims the 'Popular Forces' group are not a militia. "We are not a militia", instead, "call all of us counter terrorist forces. Our goal is to protect Palestinian human rights from Hamas' terrorism".
Yaser Abu Shabab is a test case for Israel because by backing him, they are risking a lot. Israel once backed Hamas to drive a wedge between Fatah in the West Bank or the Palestinian Authority, as it is more commonly known. However, on October 7 and in previous wars, Hamas became the dog that bit its owner's hand, namely Israel. So, Netanyahu, as he tries to destroy and dismantle Hamas, is putting all his eggs in one basket by backing the 'Popular Forces'. Is this something Netanyahu or a future Israeli leader will regret, as Israel will reap what it has sown, as has turned out with Hamas? Or it may turn out better; however, at this point, all this is speculation.
One speaker analysing the 'Popular Forces' said they are a "strange group". And this person went on to say, "They have no goal, no ideology". Conversely, one speaker for Fox News said, "Emerging enclaves like Abu Shabab could become building blocks of a post-Hamas order. Whether they develop into territories of self-rule or are later folded into a larger governing authority, they are a necessary part of what's to come".
As Trump and Netanyahu met each other in Washington the other day, they must have discussed this. Has Trump bought into the 'Popular Forces' succeeding Hamas, should Hamas fall? If the 'Popular Front' takes over, will they be backed and propped up by the US and Israel? Similar in a way to the new Syrian regime and its leader, a former IS operative.
When Bashar al-Assad fell and Joloni and his men took over in Damascus, Joloni became the terrorist brought in from the cold. When Trump toured the Arab Kingdoms this year, he met with Joloni.
So, just as the Ba'athist regime of Assad fell and Joloni was welcomed by the West, will a similar scenario happen if Hamas falls, the war ends, and Yaser Abu Shabab becomes the head honcho in Gaza?
About the Creator
Nicholas Bishop
I am a freelance writer currently writing for Blasting News and HubPages. I mainly write about politics. But have and will cover all subjects when the need arises.
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