Israel Seeks Anti-Hamas Militias In Gaza, Including Popular Forces And Yellow Line Blocks

Le Soir said that since the end of 2023, Israel has been seeking to promote militias in the Gaza Strip and that “At least five” are estimated, with their “employees” probably not exceeding “a few hundred armed men.”

“Israel's discreet support for the new anti-Hamas militias in Gaza”

l'Opinion

Le Soir described the “Popular Forces,” the militia of the late Yasser Abou Shabab, and said they recruit on social networks while Israel looks for an alternative to Hamas.

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Mondoweiss reported that on the morning of May 13 residents near al-Hikma Mosque in eastern Deir al-Balah began receiving phone calls from someone claiming to be “Captain Abu Omar,” ordering them to evacuate their homes and move more than 200 meters west of the mosque.

Mondoweiss said that same afternoon armed fighters loyal to Shawqi Abu Nuseira stormed the neighborhoods the army had warned hours earlier with a message to evacuate.

Mondoweiss also said that since the beginning of May Israeli forces have been pushing the yellow concrete blocks demarcating the “Yellow Line” deeper into areas nominally under Hamas control, bringing the total area under Israeli military control to 65%.

In a video posted to the militia’s Facebook page, Mondoweiss said Abu Nuseira appears surrounded by heavily armed and masked men and that he says he is “protecting people’s lives.”

Mondoweiss reported that when he finishes speaking, his men repeatedly chant, “Death to Hamas.”

Mondoweiss

Mondoweiss quoted Muhammad al-Amour, a resident of eastern Deir al-Balah, saying that some families received direct evacuation calls from the Israeli army and that the militias arrived in those same areas on the same day.

Mondoweiss said residents took the warnings seriously and began evacuating their homes, fearing they would be shot by the militias or bombed by the army if they stayed.

Le Soir, meanwhile, framed the broader context as Israel seeking to promote militias in Gaza as an alternative to Hamas, while noting that “no one disputes their existence.”

Mondoweiss said the “orange line” is confining over 2.2 million Palestinians to what remains of Gaza, after the yellow line seized an additional 11% of Gaza’s territory and brought total area under Israeli military control to 65%.

“On the morning of May 13, residents near al-Hikma Mosque in eastern Deir al-Balah began receiving phone calls from someone claiming to be “Captain Abu Omar,” an Israeli army officer, ordering them to evacuate their homes and move more than 200 meters west of the mosque”

Mondoweiss

Mondoweiss reported that in Khan Younis the orange line has moved to within approximately 200 meters of areas where displaced people are sheltering, and that Palestinians compared the yellow and orange lines to the Berlin Wall.

Mondoweiss quoted Mahmoud al-Raqab, a displaced resident of Khan Younis living around 300 meters from the Yellow Line, saying the line’s continued advance toward residential areas is “extremely dangerous.”

Mondoweiss added that al-Raqab said the expansion is “shrinking the spaces available to us,” preventing people from even walking near their homes, and increasing the likelihood of more land, homes, tents, and businesses being seized.

Le Soir described Israel’s approach as seeking militias in Gaza as an alternative to Hamas, while estimating the militias’ armed manpower and noting their existence despite the “exact count” being difficult to determine.