ICSPR Issues Policy Paper on “Arming Militias to Incite Chaos in the Gaza Strip”
Date: 30 August 2025
Press Release
ICSPR Issues Policy Paper on “Arming Militias to Incite Chaos in the Gaza Strip”
Gaza – The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) has issued a new policy paper prepared by lawyer Reem Mahmoud Mansour, entitled: “Arming Militias to Incite Chaos in the Gaza Strip.” The paper sheds light on one of the most dangerous phases entered by the Israeli occupation following its assault on the Gaza Strip since 7 October 2023, namely its attempt to establish local militias loyal to it with the aim of dismantling Palestinian society and undermining its national unity.
The paper explains that, in the aftermath of the aggression and the accompanying massacres, genocide, and widespread destruction, the Israeli occupation resorted to new schemes exploiting the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza to create substitute forces loyal to it. This was done through various means, most notably: financial inducements, security blackmail, psychological and media warfare, as well as fomenting internal strife.
The paper highlighted the emergence of a militia called the “Palestinian Popular Forces” in eastern Rafah, led by Yasser Abu Shabab, which began operating with direct support and coordination from Israel following the Israeli army’s invasion of southern Gaza in May 2024. The occupation reportedly supplied this militia with weapons, including Kalashnikov rifles seized from the resistance. According to the paper, these attempts represent a continuation of the historical “divide and rule” policy employed by the occupation, but the current danger lies in the fragility of Gazan society as a result of destruction and displacement.
The paper further emphasized that Israel’s objectives behind arming militias are multi-dimensional, chiefly: dismantling the resistance and tarnishing its image in Palestinian collective consciousness, eroding social trust, dragging the factions into a dual confrontation with both the occupation and the militias, and reframing the conflict from being one of “people versus occupation” into “Palestinian versus Palestinian.” Ultimately, Israel seeks to entrench indirect control over Gaza through local proxies that safeguard its interests.
The paper warned of several risks associated with this policy, including: the disintegration of Palestinian social fabric, prolongation of chaos and lawlessness, deepening internal division, attempts to normalize relations with the occupation under the pretext of being the “lesser evil,” and weakening the Palestinian cause on the international stage.
Conversely, the paper discussed the role of Gazan society in countering these schemes at multiple levels, including: popular boycotts of suspicious groups, raising security and media awareness, unifying the Palestinian political front, exposing Israel’s goals internationally, and empowering civil society to reinforce community cohesion and monitor infiltration attempts.
It also presented political alternatives to prevent the militia scenario, such as: forming a Palestinian unity government or a collective political framework, rebuilding civil and security institutions, empowering municipalities and local councils, activating reconciliation committees, launching urgent employment and reconstruction programs for youth, and enhancing the cultural and media role in reinforcing the Palestinian national narrative.
In conclusion, the paper stressed that the establishment of armed militias in Gaza after the 2023 war is nothing but a colonial tool to fragment Palestinian society. It affirmed that the steadfastness and national unity of the Palestinian people are the true guarantee for foiling these schemes. ICSPR therefore recommended pressing for a complete and permanent end to the war, outright rejection of the militia option, strengthening national unity, launching employment and reconstruction initiatives, and adopting a unified Palestinian media strategy to confront Israeli plans.
To read the full paper, click here
