Israel puts aid-looting militia gang in charge of Rafah reconstruction: Report
Israel has reportedly tasked a militia group, which is systematically looting and redirecting humanitarian aid in Gaza, to oversee the “rehabilitation” of Rafah, the southern city of Gaza.
Israeli media reported on Wednesday that the so-called Popular Forces militia, led by Yasser Abu Shabab, has received approval from Tel Aviv to manage "reconstruction efforts" in areas under Israeli control in southern Gaza.
Reports have recently revealed that areas under the group’s control enjoy privileged access to food and supplies largely denied to the rest of the besieged Palestinian territory.
An internal 2024 UN report identified the group as “the most influential stakeholders behind the systematic and massive looting of convoys.”
Receiving logistical and operational support from Israeli forces, the gang has become a key player in the regime’s efforts to weaken Hamas’s governance in Gaza.
A report revealed this week that Abu Shabab met with US presidential adviser Jared Kushner at a US military base south of Israel to discuss the future role of his forces in Gaza.
According to Saudi news outlet al-Hadath, the meeting centered on the strategic positioning of the militia in areas vacated by Hamas under the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal.
Sources cited by the news outlet said that discussions were also held on securing the safe withdrawal of Hamas fighters from Rafah’s tunnel network.
The US State Department denied the report as “false,” claiming that such a meeting had “never happened.”
Kushner, who returned to Israel on Monday, told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington would like Hamas fighters to leave for areas under the resistance group’s control or depart to another country to prevent a crisis.
“Finding a solution to this issue will serve as a pilot for the disarmament of Hamas,” Kushner said.
The military wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, however, made it clear last week that its fighters in Rafah will not lay down their weapons. The resistance group has repeatedly said that it would not accept any arrangement that “serves Israel’s occupational objectives.”
Hezbollah chief: Lebanon faces ‘dangerous, expansionist’ Israeli aggression
Israel is the ‘troublemaker’ in region, Saudi Prince Turki says
Israeli reservist ends his life after participation in Gaza genocide
Hezbollah chief: Lebanon faces ‘dangerous, expansionist’ Israeli aggression
Israeli reservist ends his life after participation in Gaza genocide
Israel is the ‘troublemaker’ in region, Saudi Prince Turki says
Threatening Iraq's sovereignty, US opens world’s largest consulate in Erbil
US Navy struck by Yemen: USS Truman disasters expose combat strain
Putin, Modi sign landmark deals to cement strategic partnership
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
IRGC Navy launches ballistic, cruise missile during major drill
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
