Monday Jul 14, 2025
NEWSLETTER
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Israel
    • Israel at War
    • Middle East
    • United States
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Israel
    • Israel at War
    • Middle East
    • United States
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
Home News

Exclusive: Israel uses Gaza Fatah members to secure aid

According to Israeli security sources, the personnel were armed only with batons and no firearms. However, reports from Gaza indicate some of them were killed by Hamas members during the operation.

by  Amir Ettinger
Published on  04-04-2024 10:23
Last modified: 04-04-2024 10:24
First aid ship to Gaza leaves Cyprus port in pilot projectReuters / Yiannis Kourtoglou

The Open Arms, a rescue vessel owned by a Spanish NGO, departs with humanitarian aid for Gaza from the port of Larnaca, Cyprus, March 12, 2024 | Photo: Reuters / Yiannis Kourtoglou

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In recent weeks, Israel's War Cabinet approved enlisting the help of Gaza residents affiliated with the dominant Palestinian Authority faction Fatah to secure the entry of humanitarian aid into the strip and prevent potential diversion to Hamas.

The move involves both Gazan security personnel linked to Fatah as well as the Palestinian Red Crescent aid group. Israel coordinated this effort with senior Palestinian Authority official Majed Faraj, the head of the PA's General Intelligence Service.

Just this past Sunday, these Fatah-affiliated elements secured the entry of trucks carrying humanitarian aid into Gaza City. According to Israeli security sources, the personnel were armed only with batons and no firearms. However, reports from Gaza indicate some of them were killed by Hamas members during the operation.

Three weeks prior, journalist Suleiman Maswadeh reported that in closed discussions, Faraj's name was proposed by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as someone who could be temporarily appointed to oversee civilian life for Gaza's residents and secure humanitarian aid deliveries. Faraj is considered a close ally of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

The collaboration with Fatah seems to run against statements from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has said repeatedly that in the aftermath of the current Gaza conflict, there will be no "Hamastan" nor a "Fatahstan" governing the territory. Netanyahu has ostensibly refused any entry of the Palestinian Authority into Gaza after hostilities concluded. Yet contrary to his public stance, the War Cabinet approved enlisting Gaza's Fatah elements in cooperation with the PA.

However, the fact that Hamas managed to kill some of the Fatah personnel brought in to secure aid underscores Netanyahu's claim – that as long as Hamas maintains control, it will not be possible to transfer governing authority in Gaza to any other group.

One security official told Israel Hayom, "Netanyahu opposes the entry of Fatah on the day after, but not now when the IDF is inside the Strip. It is preferable to position local elements at the forefront to secure the convoys."

Adding to the contradictions, Defense Minister Gallant recently told the extended War Cabinet that rule by local Palestinian elements in Gaza should be promoted, "even if they look towards Ramallah from time to time" – suggesting governance by Fatah-aligned groups would be acceptable.

Tags: GazaGaza WarHamas

Related Posts

After Hamas rejecting US proposal, Israel to present own offerAP/EPA

After public backlash and stalled negotiations, Netanyahu: 'Determined to eliminate Hamas'

by ILH Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video stating that Israel has accepted the outline of a deal to release the...

IDF: We are reaching our goal, gov has to make a decisionReuters, Oren Ben Hakoon

IDF: We are reaching our goal, gov has to make a decision

by Lilach Shoval

The IDF is planning to complete Operation "Gideon's Chariots", with forces still able to advance and capture more percentages of...

Egypt to Hamas: Disarm completely, down to the last bulletAP

Hamas shifts tactics amid IDF concerns over abduction attempts

by Lilach Shoval

It is reasonable to assume that Hamas seeks to identify weak points in IDF field deployments and conduct more kidnapping...

Menu

Analysis 

Archaeology

Blogpost

Business & Finance

Culture

Exclusive

Explainer

Environment

 

Features

Health

In Brief

Jewish World

Judea and Samaria

Lifestyle

Cyber & Internet

Sports

 

Diplomacy 

Iran & The Gulf

Gaza Strip

Politics

Shopping

Terms of use

Privacy Policy

Submissions

Contact Us

About Us

The first issue of Israel Hayom appeared on July 30, 2007. Israel Hayom was founded on the belief that the Israeli public deserves better, more balanced and more accurate journalism. Journalism that speaks, not shouts. Journalism of a different kind. And free of charge.

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

  • Home
  • News
    • Israel at War
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

Newsletter

[contact-form-7 id=”508379″ html_id=”isrh_form_Newsletter_en” title=”newsletter_subscribe”]

  • Home
  • News
    • Israel at War
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il