A militia group supported by Israel, accused of looting humanitarian aid in Gaza, has been authorized to lead the rehabilitation efforts in Rafah city, according to reports from Israeli media. The Popular Forces, led by former smuggler Yasser Abu Shabab, will facilitate operations in areas under their control. Israeli sources confirmed the plan but noted that there is no broader strategy for anti-Hamas militias post-Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. Abu Shabab describes the group as opposing Hamas’s rule, yet it faces allegations of extortion, aid theft, and collaboration with the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), which has been linked to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians at aid sites. Some members of the Popular Forces are also reportedly connected to the Islamic State. Israel’s support for the group is part of a broader effort to weaken Hamas’s dominance in Gaza. Palestinian sources revealed that Abu Shabab’s associates have met with senior US officials. Areas controlled by the Popular Forces have received aid and resources, largely due to systematic looting, as highlighted in a 2024 UN report. Despite a ceasefire announcement in October, Israel’s continued attacks in Gaza have resulted in significant casualties, with over 69,179 deaths, including 20,000 children, since October 2023. The military campaign has been widely condemned as genocide.