For decades, the world imagined a “top-down” solution for Gaza’s security, betting on a reformed Palestinian Authority to bring stability. But that theory is now being replaced by a much tougher, street-level reality. A significant shift is underway at the Rafah crossing, where local anti-Hamas clans, like the “Popular Forces” (formerly led by Yasser Abu Shabab), are being integrated into security duties.
This isn’t about idealistic politics; it’s about survival. These clans have a long-standing blood feud with Hamas, having been persecuted and hunted by the previous regime. Their motivation is visceral: to remove their oppressors and secure their own tribal future. By empowering these local strongmen, a stark choice is being presented to the people of Gaza: align with the extremism that brought ruin, or side with those who can provide security, trade, and a path to survival.
This “Warlord Option” is a radical departure from past failures. When local fighters inspect aid or maintain order, they are no longer targeting a “foreign occupier.” They’re facing a neighbor whose family lives just blocks away. This creates a powerful internal dynamic of accountability, shattering Hamas’s “resistance” narrative and demonstrating that the most eager to fight extremism are the very residents who suffered most under its rule.
It’s crucial to understand this isn’t a magic bullet. It’s one vital pillar of a broader strategy, working alongside military control and massive economic reconstruction. The success of these local forces depends entirely on their ability to serve wider security goals. If they develop their own radical ambitions, they must be dealt with decisively. This unconventional approach acknowledges Gaza’s tribal reality, where power often flows from controlling borders and resources. It’s a gritty, practical step away from failed concepts and towards a future where victory is a lived reality on the ground, not just a diplomatic aspiration.
Source: https://worldisraelnews.com/why-gazas-clans-are-the-missing-piece-of-the-victory-puzzle-opinion/
