Leeway of Raising the Specter of Another Catastrophic Event Akin to 9/11 

Israel has acknowledged that it has been covertly supplying arms to the extremist group in Gaza as a counter terrorism.

Dr. Pamèlia Rivière

 In the current climate, both Israel and the United States are sowing seeds of radicalization, impacting not only their domestic spheres but also resonating with individuals on an international scale. The situation has reached a critical juncture, particularly as the humanitarian crisis unfolds in Gaza, where relentless vicious Israeli airstrikes have claimed the lives of hundreds of Palestinians. 

In a surprising turn of events, Israel has acknowledged that it has been providing arms to certain factions within Gaza, citing counter-terrorism efforts. This controversial decision has raised eyebrows, as it appears to involve support for groups often labeled as extremist. The delicate balance of power in this region continues to shift, stirring intense debate and scrutiny.

Professor Mearsheimer poignantly observes that "violent delights have violent ends," a sentiment that resonates deeply in the current context, leaving a bitter truth for Israel and the United States to confront. 

Reports from officials in Gaza indicate a harrowing toll, with over 300 Palestinian lives claimed in just 48 hours as Israeli forces unleashed a relentless wave of attacks on vulnerable food seekers. 

The devastation extends to the youngest and most innocent, as a staggering 50,000 children have been either killed or injured, yet the international community stands alarmingly silent in the face of this humanitarian catastrophe, which many are calling a genocide against the children of Gaza.

 Moreover, the situation grows graver as an estimated 400,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced from their homes, all while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu unilaterally declares that the expansion of settlements in the West Bank will continue unabated. 

Among the casualties of these strikes is the director of an Indonesian hospital, whose family residence was tragically targeted. This heartbreaking incident highlights the urgent need for global awareness and action, as Democracy Now! reports on the escalating crisis impacting countless lives.

Death Toll and Displacement at the Peak in Gaza: Lack of Information on the Actual Number of Deaths

Before the onset of the war, Gaza was home to approximately 2.2 million residents, primarily concentrated in four main cities: Rafah and Khan Younis in the south, Deir al-Balah in the center, and Gaza City, which had a population of around 775,000. However, by January 16, 2025, nearly the entire population had been displaced, according to reports from the BBC. The toll of the conflict in Gaza is significant, with estimates suggesting that the death count could exceed the figures provided by the Gaza health ministry. 

A study published in The Lancet on June 10, 2024, indicated that up to 186,000 deaths, or possibly more, could be linked to the ongoing conflict. As of July 3, 2025, the number of fatalities may surpass 200,000, highlighting a severe lack of information regarding the current situation in Gaza, including actual death tolls, missing persons, and those trapped beneath rubble due to the conflict. 

On June 20, 2025, the United Nations estimated that approximately 1.9 million people had been displaced since the beginning of the war, which represents around 90% of Gaza's population before the conflict started. This statistic raises pressing questions regarding the current survival of the remaining population. 1.9 million or entire displaced Palestinians face dire conditions, and there are growing concerns regarding their safety and well-being during this ongoing crisis.

This can be Boomerang for Israel: Supplying Arms to the Extremist Group in Gaza: On June 6, 2025, CNN reported a controversial development in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Israel has been covertly supplying arms to various local militias in Gaza as part of its broader strategy to counter the influence of Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu staunchly defended this clandestine initiative, asserting that the goal is to bolster factions within Gaza that actively oppose Hamas's authority. 

In a compelling video posted on social media, Netanyahu emphasized that this decision was made based on extensive recommendations from senior security officials, suggesting a calculated approach to the ongoing conflict. The operation came to light during an eye-opening interview with former defense minister Avigdor Liberman on Israel’s Channel 12 News. Liberman characterized the initiative as “complete madness,” voicing serious concerns about the dangers of arming extremist groups in Gaza, which he starkly compared to ISIS. 

His warnings highlighted the unpredictable nature of such a strategy, emphasizing that there is no guarantee these weapons would not be used against Israel itself. In response to growing alarm, the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement reaffirming that the Israeli government is implementing various measures to combat Hamas based on the guidance of security leaders. 

Earlier, on June 5, the BBC had also reported on Netanyahu’s confirmation regarding the distribution of arms, with details indicating that he had specifically authorized the transfer of weapons to a prominent group operating in southern Gaza. This provocative decision has sparked fierce criticism from several Israeli politicians, who argue that it endangers national security and could exacerbate tensions in the region. 

Facing backlash, Netanyahu addressed his critics in a follow-up video, arguing that the initiative ultimately enhances the safety of Israeli soldiers. He further contended that publicizing such operations could unintentionally provide strategic advantages to Hamas, complicating an already delicate situation.

What are the Reasons Behind Israel Arming Gangs in Gaza

 Recent developments in the conflict between Israel and Hamas have revealed complex dynamics involving the Israeli government and various armed groups in Gaza. Israeli officials and supporters have long claimed that humanitarian aid intended for the Gazan population is being misappropriated by Hamas. Al Jazeera reported this rationale has been used to justify severe restrictions, including targeting bakeries, obstructing food convoys, and even military actions against civilians waiting for bread amidst ongoing starvation affecting over one million starved Palestinians.  

However, new evidence suggests that Israel has been supplying weapons to certain criminal factions within Gaza. One prominent group, led by Yasser Abu Shabab, is reported to have ties with extremist networks and engages in theft and intimidation of civilians.

 These factions have purportedly received support from the administration of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who acknowledged that these armed gangs are being utilized to combat Hamas. This acknowledgment came shortly after a new wave of military strikes in Gaza resulted in significant civilian casualties. In his public statement, Netanyahu mentioned that his government had "activated" influential local tribes in Gaza based on advice from security officials. 

This was the first time the government confirmed its support for armed Palestinian factions, which have been accused by humanitarian workers of criminal activities, including stealing supplies from aid shipments while the region faces a dire humanitarian crisis due to a stringent Israeli blockade.

 Reports from Haaretz referred to Abu Shabab’s group as the "Anti-Terror Service." According to sources in Gaza, this group consists of approximately 100 armed individuals operating under unspoken approval from the Israeli military.

 Recently, the Abu Shabab group announced their role in aiding the protection of supply shipments to newly established distribution centers supported by the U.S. and Israel, managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Criticism within Israel regarding this support is mounting. 

Opposition figures argue that the groups armed by Israel are essentially criminal enterprises, raising serious concerns about the ethical implications of providing weapons to such factions. There is significant outcry regarding the use of Israeli weaponry by these gangs, especially after recent military operations have led to the deaths of over 100 individuals at aid distribution sites, where civilians were shot while seeking assistance. 

In a legal twist, a court in Gaza has ordered Yasser Abu Shabab to surrender for trial, granting him a ten-day ultimatum to present himself. Failure to do so will result in a trial in absentia. 

The Popular Forces group has dismissed the court order as an ineffective maneuver, denouncing it publicly. The political and humanitarian situation in Gaza remains precarious, with international attention drawn to these developments as both the Israeli and Palestinian media continue to report on the implications of armed support within the region.

A Sanctuary for the Desperate Civilians Turned to a Slaughterhouse? 

Gaza has become a human slaughterhouse now. Al Jazeera reported that Chris Gunness, a former spokesperson for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), described the situation in Gaza as a "human abattoir," pointing to the appalling conditions faced by civilians. He noted that many are forcibly herded into cramped spaces and subjected to violence.

A focal point of tragedy was a food distribution center, a site that should have been a sanctuary for the desperate, but instead, met with indiscriminate gunfire, shattering the already frail hopes of innocent civilians striving for mere sustenance. 

The distribution of humanitarian aid has deteriorated into a grim tableau of chaos and violence, leaving many to face horrific fates while desperately trying to access the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). 

This U.S.-backed initiative, designed to alleviate suffering, has become a flashpoint of contention amidst the ongoing devastation. Disturbingly, figures such as Trump, who should wield influence for peace, have chosen silence in the face of brutal shootings targeting those seeking food. 

Instead, Donald Trump appears to be orchestrating a temporary ceasefire for 60 days only, presented as a strategic ploy to aid Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in the daunting task of negotiating the release of hostages. And restart the war for ethnic cleansing in Gaza. 

Yet, this plan raises alarm bells; it bears an uncanny resemblance to past clandestine operations where Trump and Netanyahu maneuvered discussions regarding nuclear arms, only to pivot toward campaigns of airstrikes and targeted assassinations.

 Their earlier actions brutally extinguished the lives of nine scientists and pivotal military officials, including former President Ebrahim Raisi, in a misguided attempt to foment revolution in Iran—a mission that ultimately met with failure.

 The heavy themes of deception and violence cast a long shadow over the present scenario, evoking fears that history may be on the brink of repeating itself. Under a proposed second stage of negotiations, Israel was anticipated to commit to a permanent ceasefire, deemed essential for laying the foundations of lasting peace.

 Evoking the Specter of a Catastrophic Event Reminiscent of 9/11

However, against this hopeful backdrop, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resumed military offensives on March 18, 2025 shattering the fragile ceasefire and unraveling ongoing peace discussions. He justified the rise of atrocities on the civilians in Gaza with claims that it was necessary to exert pressure on Hamas for the release of remaining hostages, a rationale that pays little heed to the profound human cost.

 Reports now lament that an appalling number—over a million people—have been killed or injured amidst the relentless violence. The specter of Holocaust in Gaza is visible. The escalation has reached alarming heights, with alarming reports of Israeli forces firing upon civilians merely seeking food, further exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.

As supplies dwindle and the specter of starvation looms, these destructive actions instill a paralyzing fear in the hearts of the population, dissuading many from seeking much-needed assistance and contributing to a rising death toll. The widespread violence and horrific atrocities inflicted upon civilians in Gaza have evoked a chorus of condemnation from analysts and human rights advocates alike, with many asserting that what is unfolding amounts to genocide. 

The global community finds itself at a pivotal crossroads; the question looms—how long can it remain silent and indifferent to this rapidly unfolding tragedy? The relentless targeting of Palestinians not only undermines their humanity but also carries grave implications for the stability of the Middle East. 

Critics point fingers at both Israel and the United States, arguing that they are complicit in these heinous actions, shouldering moral and political responsibility for the ongoing violence and suffering.

 This complicity ignites resentment and fosters anger among Palestinians, contributing to the radicalization of increasingly vulnerable populations within the region. A poignant concern emerges: a growing cadre of disaffected individuals may feel impelled to seek retribution against both nations, evoking the specter of a catastrophic event reminiscent of 9/11. In light of these developments, it is clear that the urgent need for accountability and proactive measures to halt this cycle of violence has never been more crucial.

Dr Pamelia Riviere is a freelancer and analyst