Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, Friday Focus. Each Friday, join diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman and host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.

It came out late last week that Israel has been arming a criminal gang in the Gaza Strip as part of an effort to strengthen opposition to Hamas in the enclave.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the use of such forces spares IDF soldiers' lives. Defense sources have confirmed that Israel has been arming the gang with Kalashnikov rifles, including some that were seized from Hamas during the ongoing war.

In this week's Friday Focus discussion, Berman delves into the man heading this Gaza mafia, Yasser Abu Shabab, a former drug smuggler turned humanitarian aid looter during the war. In footage published online by Abu Shabab, members of the group can be seen wearing military-style uniforms with the Palestinian flag and the words “Counter-Terrorism Mechanism” emblazoned on them.

Berman discusses the military concepts of insurgency and counter-insurgency and refers to Israel's history in employing them in Lebanon. We hear the lessons learned by the United States in its Iraq war and how Israel could expand upon its support for local Gazan forces to fill the vacuum left by Hamas.

Friday Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves and the video was edited by Thomas Girsch.

IMAGE: Members of the Abu Shabab gang in Gaza, seen in a recent video posted by the group. (screen capture: Facebook)

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