After the October 7 Al-Aqsa Flood, Israel launched an attack on Gaza. In its assault against the Palestinian people, Israel has not only used its army, aircraft, artillery, and bombs, but has also attacked through collaborationist gangs. Through these gangs, they aim to corrupt the Palestinian people, divide them, and strike a blow against the resistance.
So much so that those who take part in these gangs are directly waging war against the Palestinian people. The gangs damage the liberation struggle that is being waged. Through these gangs, the Palestinian people are also corrupted. Because where gangs exist, there is corruption. There is drugs, prostitution, gambling. There is the occupation of minds. People are made to betray their own people for a few coins.
Gangs weaken the resistance by striking it from within. Imperialism and Israel use gangs as a tool to subjugate the Palestinian people. Israel uses these gangs as a military force against the Palestinian people by providing them with money and weapons.
In this article, we will discuss the gangs collaborating with Israel.
GANGS ARE THE FIFTH COLUMN OF IMPERIALISM
IMPERIALISM USES GANGS AS A TOOL TO SUBJUGATE PEOPLES
Imperialists want to end the struggle of resisting peoples. In order to achieve this, they form gangs out of those they have turned into collaborators. These gangs implement imperialist policies. They weaken resistance and struggle.
While the Palestinian people resist Israeli Zionism on the one hand, they are also forced to fight people-enemy gangs emerging from within their own society. Gangs are the fifth column of imperialism.
Imperialists openly use gangs in places where revolutionary struggle is on the rise. These gangs, which are convenient for use, both wage war against their own people and play a role in breaking resistance.
“Beginning with the United States, imperialism has rapidly increased poppy and opium production in all the countries it has occupied. In order to force peoples they could not subjugate by force to bow their heads, they used drugs such as opium. From the 1970s to the 1980s, America personally distributed cocaine in poor neighbourhoods to suppress Black radicals, progressives, and certain local movements.
During the Vietnam War period, the world’s largest drug production in the Pakistan–Afghanistan triangle was again directed and encouraged directly by the CIA. At times, the CIA even used military aircraft to transport drugs.
With CIA support, Pakistan became a star in global heroin production, and meanwhile the number of heroin addicts in the country rose from zero to one million.
In all coups in Latin America and in the counter-gangs organized by the CIA, drugs were again the source of financing. The British sought to colonize China through opium.”
(Doğru Düşün Yenilmez Ol – Think Correctly, Be Invincible, p. 192)
Imperialism uses gangs today just as it did in the past—and will continue to do so in the future. Both in Palestine and in different parts of the world, gangs are a convenient tool used by imperialists against peoples.
GANGS ARE THE FIFTH COLUMN OF IMPERIALISM
The Fifth Column refers to groups composed of secret agents, saboteurs, spies, and traitors who collaborate with the enemy and operate to weaken or collapse a country from within.
For 78 years, Israel has carried out relentless terror against the Palestinian people with its army. As of today, it has de facto occupied almost the entirety of Palestinian lands. Against this occupation, the Palestinian people resist by sacrificing their lives.
Since October 7 alone, Israel has massacred 70,000 Palestinians. The Palestinian people—women and men, young and old, children and elders—have resisted from seven to seventy, have given martyrs. They have won victories through their martyrs.
Yet while the Palestinian people resist, collaborationist gangs have also entrenched themselves on Palestinian lands. The Palestinian people have been forced to fight not only Israel but also these gangs. These gangs, Palestinian by origin yet waging war against the Palestinian people, were established and used by imperialism and Israel.
Gangs are the illegitimate offspring of imperialism. Capitalism is legal gang activity; gangs are illegal capitalism. We have seen the clearest examples of this in people’s liberation wars.
Gangs were directly established by U.S. imperialism and used against those waging national liberation struggles. If we give examples from around the world, the first that comes to mind are the gangs used against the Black Panthers in the United States. The CIA supported drug gangs against the Black population. It numbed the Black people with drugs and broke the influence and power of the Black Panthers. Unable to develop effective policies against these gangs, the Black Panthers lost much of their strength.
Similarly, in Marseille, when the French Communist Party was strong, the CIA activated drug gangs. These gangs were protected and supported by the state. As a result, they succeeded in weakening socialist organization in Marseille.
In Latin American countries such as Colombia, Nicaragua, and Uruguay, the CIA used gangs—referred to as paramilitary forces—against rising people’s liberation wars. These gangs were armed and paid with money obtained from drugs. Having massacred thousands of people, these gangs inflicted severe wounds on revolutionary struggle.
Likewise in Turkey gangs were activated to end the developing struggle. In neighbourhoods of Istanbul such as Okmeydanı, Gazi, and Gülsuyu, where revolutionary influence is strong, gangs were directly organized and protected by the police. As a result, revolutionary cadres and supporters like Hasan Ferit Gedik in Gülsuyu, Recep Hasar in Gazi, and Birol Karasu in Armutlu were martyred by gangs protected by the police.
GANGS USED AGAINST THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AND THEIR CRIMES
By openly embracing these gangs, Netanyahu has admitted that he is behind the establishment of armed groups, stating:
“We are trying to arm Palestinian tribes in Gaza that oppose HAMAS. We are trying to divide the Gaza Strip into tribal regions. In this way, a local alternative to HAMAS will be created.”
Israel is supporting these gangs not only during the war but also to use them against the resistance after the war. It keeps these gangs as tools in its hands against the Palestinian people. Israel arms these gangs in order to prevent the people from uniting against the occupation and to create internal divisions among the population. It meets all their needs.
These gangs, which operate under the control of the Israeli army, have been used to create fractures within the Palestinian resistance. While Israel undermines the resistance through these gangs, it simultaneously attempts to sow discord within the Palestinian people. Israel has used these gangs to create an atmosphere of chaos, loot aid convoys, kidnap resistance members, and carry out assassinations. Throughout the occupation period, these collaborationist gangs have been armed in order to weaken the resistance.
Israel is also considering using these gangs in buffer zones for border security after the war. These gangs were organized by Israel after the occupation began on October 7. Prior to that, due to HAMAS’s strict control, such gangs could not find ground to operate.
After the ceasefire process began, HAMAS carried out significant operations against these gangs within 48 hours, punishing many gang members with death. A HAMAS security official stated that aid distribution points in Gaza were being used as opportunities to recruit agents collaborating with the occupiers and to meet with them, and that drugs were used to trap young people, bind them through intelligence networks, and assign them espionage tasks. HAMAS continues to intensively target individuals, groups, and tribes that collaborated with Israel during the occupation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly stated earlier this year that they had armed certain families opposed to HAMAS. In Gaza City, HAMAS is clashing with an armed structure largely linked to the Dughmush Family.
According to reports by Israel’s Channel 12 television, citing Israeli military sources, Israel transferred weapons, pickup trucks, and money to gangs in Gaza for use against HAMAS.
An Israeli army official stated that the pickup trucks, weapons, ammunition, and large sums of money provided by the Tel Aviv administration to the gangs to be used in the war against HAMAS were seized by HAMAS. It was reported that HAMAS confiscated at least 45 pickup trucks supplied by Israel, along with hundreds of AK-47 rifles, other machine guns, ammunition, grenades, and large amounts of cash.
With this plan, Tel Aviv believed it could present gangs in the Gaza Strip as an alternative to HAMAS. However, even one of the most prominent groups, the “Yaser Abu Shabab” gang, collapsed within just a few days in Khan Younis, Gaza City, and other areas.
In Rafah, Yaser Abu Shabab’s “right-hand man,” a leading figure of the anti-HAMAS group, was killed by security forces. HAMAS continues its operations against Abu Shabab.
PALESTINIAN COLLABORATIONIST GANGS AND THEIR CRIMES
Yaser Abu Shabab:
Operates in the city of Rafah. Active in southern Gaza, near the Kerem Abu Salem border crossing. It is known that the group receives weapons and logistical support from Israel, loots aid convoys, and engages in cigarette smuggling. The group also carried out military operations in favour of Israel during the war. It is known that this gang killed resistance commanders and fighters. Involved in theft and drug trafficking, the gang calls itself the “People’s Army.” This gang also attacked hospitals during the war.
Husam al-Astal:
Operates in Qizan al-Najjar, Khan Younis. Founded by a former Palestinian Authority security officer. It is known to receive salaries and assistance from Israel’s internal intelligence agency Shin Bet. Calling itself “Counter-Terrorism,” this gang also participated in the assassination of al-Qassam commander Fadi al-Batsh in Malaysia. Astal portrays himself as a “protector of civilians” and the “founder of a safe humanitarian zone free from HAMAS control.” He uses social media to call on Gazans to fight against HAMAS. Most of the leadership of these collaborators consists of family members, some affiliated with Fatah.
Rami Hilles:
Operates in Shuja’iyya, Zaytoun, and Tuffah neighbourhoods. This group, led by a former Fatah-affiliated security officer, has been confirmed by Israeli media to have received assistance from the Israeli army. It has also participated in joint operations with Israeli forces.
Ashraf Mansi:
This group presents itself as the “People’s Army – Northern Forces.” Coordinating with the Abu Shabab gang in southern Rafah, it cleared homes and facilities prior to the Israeli army’s entry into Gaza City as part of the Gideon’s Chariots 2 Operation. Members of this group were also involved in the theft of aid supplies from the Zikim area in northwestern Gaza.
Shuja’iyya People’s Defence Forces:
The Hilles Family, long affiliated with Fatah, has historically been in conflict with HAMAS. Following the ceasefire, HAMAS launched operations against the tribe’s militias. Israeli media confirmed that Rami Hilles received assistance from the Israeli army.
Yasir Hunaydeq Militias:
Militias composed of dozens of former Fatah members led by Yasir Hunaydeq operate around Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
Mejayda Tribe:
One of Gaza’s major tribes, primarily residing in Khan Younis. Tensions with HAMAS escalated after tribe members killed two al-Qassam fighters and a mediator attempting to calm the dispute. HAMAS gave the tribe a short deadline to surrender the perpetrators. When negotiations failed, HAMAS launched a major attack against these gang members shortly before the ceasefire, killing suspects and seizing weapons. Israel then carried out airstrikes against the al-Qassam fighters who conducted the operation. After mediation efforts, the tribe surrendered its weapons and declared support for HAMAS.
Abu Hammash and Abu Mughaiseb Tribes:
Two small tribal groups emerged in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza in January. After clashes in recent months, HAMAS suppressed both groups within a short time. Tribal elders mediated the ceasefire and ensured the surrender of weapons.
Dughmush Tribe:
After the ceasefire, clashes erupted between HAMAS and the Dughmush tribe in central Gaza City. Armed gangs affiliated with the tribe were accused of stealing HAMAS weapons and killing al-Qassam fighters. HAMAS subsequently launched operations against the armed gangs. Many gang members were killed or captured alive.
In addition, HAMAS carried out military operations against gang members affiliated with tribes such as Halas, Barbah, Abu Ziyad, and Abu Verde.
It is known that armed groups affiliated with different tribes in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah have clashed with HAMAS and were supported by Israel.
PALESTINIAN RESISTANCE GROUPS UNITE AGAINST THE GANGS
“HAMAS’s new struggle in Gaza: Israeli-backed gangs are being dismantled. After the ceasefire in Gaza, MOSSAD-backed gangs attempted to establish new ‘control zones’ within Gaza under the guidance of Shin Bet. Resistance forces launched comprehensive operations against this threat; many collaborators were captured and some were neutralized. All Palestinian resistance factions adopted a united stance, coming together on a single front to thwart Israel’s plan for internal chaos. The people of Gaza are defending their independence against attempts at ‘occupation from within’ as well.”
Journalist Muin Naim stated:
“They attacked in response to calls, and raids were carried out on the orders of the Interior Ministry in Gaza. Unfortunately, using heavy weapons and snipers they obtained from Israel, they opened fire on civilians, and my nephew was shot in the head and martyred.”
Naim said that members of organizations protected by Israel and carrying out violent acts against the Palestinian people were acting on the orders of a killer named Yasir Abu Shabab, supported by Israel and operating in areas such as Khan Younis and Rafah.
Naim added that gang members under Israeli control carried out actions harming the people of Gaza, stating:
“The gangs were constantly attacking Palestinians and looting homes. When Israel launched its ground invasion of Gaza, they were seen looting surviving shops with their vehicles before our very eyes.”
Naim continued:
“Last night, after the raid, they were found in possession of communication devices used to contact Israeli intelligence, computers, and lists of resistance members. Based on those lists, people were kidnapped and executed. The most recently executed journalist, Jaafarawi, was killed because he supported the resistance.”
ISRAEL ABANDONED ITS COLLABORATORS TO THEIR FATE
Former Israeli army spokesperson Major General Avraham Benayahu stated:
“Militias collaborating in Gaza will not enter Israel and will be forced to face their fate alone. Our army did not force anyone to fight HAMAS. They must bear the consequences of their own decisions.”
The Israeli army also rejected proposals to establish a security zone for these gangs.
The traitors fought against their own people for Israel. Yet even the enemy did not claim them. Israel abandoned the gang members, effectively saying, you brought this upon yourselves.
WHY DO IMPERIALISM AND ISRAEL FEED GANGS?
Imperialism loves gangs because it carries out the dirty work it cannot do itself through them. Israel hoped to weaken the resistance by organizing Palestinians within these gangs. Palestinians organized in gangs were turned into Israel supporters. These gangs looted aid sent to the Palestinian people, clashed with resistance fighters, martyred resistance members, and aimed to break the resistance.
It is known that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu armed gangs in Gaza to weaken HAMAS. It is now widely known that Israel intended not only to use these gangs against HAMAS but also to bring them to power after the war.
Some Israeli members of parliament opposed to Netanyahu also stated that these gangs were armed by Israel.
HAMAS described these groups as “traitors and gangs”, announced that it maintains a blacklist, that those on the list are being monitored and will be tried. HAMAS carried out large-scale operations against these groups and gave their members deadlines to surrender. Many HAMAS militants were also martyred in clashes with these gangs.
THE SOLUTION AGAINST GANGS IS AN ORGANIZED PEOPLE
HAMAS and the people brand these groups as ‘gangs and looters.
Israel’s internal intelligence agency (Shin Bet / SHABAK), with the approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has, since the beginning of the war on October 10, 2023, recruited large numbers of tribal-based elements in Gaza in order to divide, obstruct, and even turn against one another the resistance movements there. These resistance movements include not only Islamist organizations such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, but also an armed resistance platform consisting of approximately nine leftist, socialist, progressive, and nationalist formations. — Faik Bulut
The Palestinian people have come to know these gangs very well. During the resistance, they killed resistance fighters, looted aid trucks during famine, caused Palestinian children to die of hunger, and while hundreds of people were being injured every day by Israeli bombs, these gangs even attacked hospitals.
These gangs are degenerate. The stance against degenerates must be harsh and uncompromising.
In every war, traitors emerge. This is inherent in the nature of war. However, treason against the homeland is never forgivable, regardless of the reason. Israel armed and supported these traitors. While it used gangs for its own interests, once they were no longer useful, it abandoned them to their fate. Even the enemy does not stand by collaborators.
The power against gangs lies in the organization of the people. Only an organized people can stop gangs that betray the homeland. This reality applies not only in Turkey, but also in Palestine and throughout the world.
In Conclusion:
Israel aimed to break the resistance of the Palestinian people by creating gangs. However, the Palestinian people took a stand against the gang members and did not allow them to break the resistance. Israel sought to undermine the people’s capacity to resist by using gangs, aiming to divide the resistance front by creating internal splits—but it failed to achieve this goal.
Even the enemy neither embraces nor respects collaborationist traitors. This was also the case in Palestine: after the ceasefire decision, Israel did not stand by the gangs it had used.
Imperialism corrupts the people through gangs. Gangs are the illegitimate children of capitalism.
In Palestine, gangs betrayed their homeland and their people. The Palestinian people, in turn, gave the gangs the punishment their crimes deserved.
What is legitimate and just is the Palestinian people and the resistance. History has once again recorded that gangs who betray their own people receive the punishment they deserve.
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