Armed criminal gangs have been unleashed on the Gaza Strip by Israeli policy. On 5 June, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly confirmed that Israel is arming these criminal factions and clans, admitting something us in Gaza already knew to be true. The goal? To reduce the number of casualties among Israeli soldiers – and to further fracture Palestinian society from the inside.

The results have been catastrophic. The presence of these gangs, many of whose members were imprisoned before this war for crimes against their own people, has added a new and terrifying layer to our suffering. We are no longer only afraid of the sky – but also of our neighbours, of the people walking among us. We don’t just fear hunger or bombs anymore. We fear betrayal.

A lot of attention has focused on Yasser Abu Shabab and his men, who Israel has armed to control territory in Rafah, in southern Gaza. But there are armed gangs everywhere now, controlling access to aid, even inside Gaza City.

The presence of these criminals among us has made us fearful of one another. My father has cautioned me to treat everyone around me like they are going to try to steal from me or are approaching to hurt me. My parents live in fear when I go out to report – not just because of Israeli bombs and bullets – but now also because of these gangs. As the looting has escalated, especially at the aid entry points, my parents told me to stop going out altogether, and I think they are right.

This is all so painful to witness because this is not who we are. This is not Gaza. We have lived under occupation and siege – even before this war – and our government had many flaws. But our communities were safe. We used to go out shopping for Eid at night during Ramadan and return to our homes after midnight. It never felt scary. Now, even in the middle of the day, we feel terrified to leave the battered homes and tents where we live, displaced.