Israel supports Palestinian militias in Gaza that are fighting against Hamas, providing them with intelligence, supplies and weapons, WSJ has learned. Such a partnership is a necessary measure for Israel amid the ceasefire
Photo: Amir Cohen/Reuters
Israel is supporting Palestinian militias in Gaza fighting Hamas, providing air support with drones and sharing intelligence, weapons, cigarettes and food. About this reports The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) citing Israeli officials. Some militia fighters were even flown by helicopter to Israeli hospitals after being injured, they said.
Such cooperation, based on a common opposition to Hamas, is beneficial to Israel, since its actions are limited by the terms of the truce with the group, and the militias can operate in territories controlled by Hamas, where Israeli troops are denied access.
“When they [ополченцы] carry out operations against Hamas, we monitor them and sometimes provide support,” said Yaron Bouskila, a former senior Israeli officer in Gaza, who resigned after the ceasefire was declared. The assistance included providing intelligence as well as Israeli intervention when Hamas attempted to attack the militias, he said.
According to him, since leaving office in October 2025, he is not aware of the continuation of such interaction. The Israeli military and the Shin Bet security service refused to comment on the facts of cooperation with the militias, WSJ reports.
According to the WSJ, partnership with the militias in Gaza became a necessary measure for Israel after the refusal to transfer control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority and unsuccessful attempts to cooperate with local clans, which were harshly suppressed by Hamas.
Despite the creation of several enclaves under Israeli protection, the number of militias remains small – from hundreds to several thousand people, the newspaper notes. They did not become a viable alternative to Hamas due to their criminal history, participation in the looting of humanitarian aid and the perception of them as Israeli collaborators among some local residents, writes WSJ. Meanwhile, Hamas continues to regain control of territory and its military structure. “The price of betrayal is heavy and costly,” Hamas said on January 22, threatening militias working with Israel, the newspaper reported.
In January, the WSJ, citing experts, wrote that Israel could begin new military operation in the Gaza Strip, since most of Gaza is controlled by Hamas, which is strengthening its position and refusing to completely lay down its arms.
In accordance with the plan of US President Donald Trump, which formed the basis of the agreement concluded in 2025 truceHamas fighters must disarm. However, according to WSJ, the group agrees to part with the remains of heavy weapons, but refuses to hand over small arms. Its number is estimated at 60 thousand, which is three times the number of remaining militants.
On January 22, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump officially signed a charter establishing a “Council of Peace.” The structure was initially conceived to manage the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, but received a broader mandate – resolving international conflicts and maintaining global stability.
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