The conflict in Gaza has intensified as a newly emerged gang, the Yasser Abu Shabab Popular Forces, reportedly backed by Israel, has increased its activities in southern Gaza by attacking Hamas operatives and their families.

Reports indicate that the membership of this gang has grown significantly, now numbering around 150, up from approximately 75 just over a week ago.

Members are allegedly armed with assault rifles, night vision goggles, and are involved in gathering intelligence for Israeli military operations.

In response, Hamas has reportedly been targeted through a series of calculated assassinations aimed at eliminating the gang's members, with claims that Hamas has killed five to seven individuals affiliated with the gang daily.

This surge in violence exemplifies the ongoing hostilities between Hamas and various armed groups that oppose its governance in Gaza.

The leader of the Yasser Abu Shabab gang, identified as 31-year-old Yasser Abu Shabab, has previously been suspected by Gaza residents, as many of his members have criminal backgrounds, including drug trafficking and murders.

The gang, operating outside the authority of recognized Palestinian governance, is viewed as attempting to create an alternative power structure amidst the existing leadership void exacerbated by the ongoing war.

Israeli officials have not publicly shared a comprehensive plan for governance in Gaza following the conflict, which is officially stated will persist until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages taken by the group are released.

The Israeli government has acknowledged its engagement with Palestinian clans in Gaza and the provision of support to anti-Hamas factions, confirming claims by a former Israeli minister regarding the transfer of arms to organized crime families in the region.

This initiative raises concerns about potential civil discord, given that the overwhelming majority of Gaza's 2.3 million residents are currently facing dire shortages of essential supplies such as food, water, and medical aid.

Israel had previously relaxed a blockade on aid, yet the volume of supplies reaching Gaza remains critically insufficient compared to the population's needs.

Reports indicate that the Yasser Abu Shabab gang has been tasked with executing operations on behalf of the Israeli military, including destroying infrastructures believed to conceal entrances to Hamas tunnels and halting supply routes to Hamas fighters.

The effectiveness of the gang's operations against Hamas remains unverified, but estimates suggest that Hamas has suffered substantial losses, including more than half of its fighters and a significant portion of its weaponry since the escalation of hostilities.

Israel has a documented history of empowering local groups to undermine its major adversaries, and evidence suggests it maintains a network of paid informants within the enclave, supplying real-time intelligence on Hamas leadership.

Hamas has dedicated considerable resources to counter-espionage efforts, targeting suspected informants with severe punitive measures.

This security landscape, characterized by mistrust and violence, contributes to the intricate dynamics in Gaza, where armed groups are often tied to influential familial clans.

The emergence of the Yasser Abu Shabab gang represents a complex layer of Israeli involvement in Gaza, prompting concerns among civilians who interpret such groups as deceptive entities that manipulate local populations under the guise of support and protection.

While the gang asserts its role in safeguarding humanitarian distribution points, testimonies from aid workers suggest a history of misconduct, including the looting of supplies intended for vulnerable populations.

With Hamas’ power diminishing in the wake of prolonged conflict, various gangs, including the Yasser Abu Shabab faction, are reportedly seizing opportunities to expand their influence.

Previous to the onset of the current war, Yasser Abu Shabab was involved primarily in cigarette and drug smuggling operations from neighboring Egypt and Israel into Gaza.

This illicit activity has now shifted with the conflict changing the landscape of power and governance within the enclave.

The ongoing conflict was ignited when Hamas forces conducted a surprise attack on Israel in October 2023, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and approximately 240 hostages taken.

In retaliation, Israel's military actions have reportedly resulted in the deaths of nearly 55,000 Palestinians, as indicated by health authorities in Gaza, contributing to widespread displacement and destruction across the region.