Israeli-backed groups (Gaza)
Since the beginning of the 2024 Gaza war, Israel has courted prominent families and clans in Gaza to run “Hamas-free zones”, distribute aid, manage Gaza’s day-to-day governance and security, and coordinate reconstruction.
In March, the IDF suggested arming clans to challenge Hamas. This includes the Dughmush, a clan affiliated with the Islamic State group (ISIS), which has repeatedly attacked Israel and was responsible for kidnapping BBC journalist Alan Johnston in 2007. It has more recently earned a reputation for looting international aid.
In June 2025, Israeli media reported that Israel was arming the new created Popular Forces led by Yasser Abu Shabab which has also been involved in looting humanitarian aid and allegedly has ties to ISIS.
Throughout this time Israeli soldiers regularly stand by as gangs loot aid trucks, extort protection fees from drivers, and block aid shipments in areas under Israel’s control in Rafah. Israel has also regularly struck Gaza policemen when they confront gang members and try to protect aid trucks, further hindering the distribution of aid.