Netanyahu states: Israel arms anti-Hamas clans in Gaza Strip
"Israel has been arming Gazan factions opposed to Hamas in a bid to undermine the militant group’s rule, Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed," states the British portal The Financial Times.
Prime Minister Netanyahu published on his X account an 'interview' conducted by his advisor Topaz Luk, handling the revelation that Israel is arming local militias in the Gaza Strip. The statement emerged after the right-wing opposition Yisrael Beiteinu party leader, Avigdor Lieberman, claimed on Thursday that "the state of Israel is providing weapons to a group of criminals and felons ... to serve as a counterweight to Hamas," adding that "to my knowledge, this did not go through approval by the cabinet."
"What's wrong with that? It's only good. It only saves IDF soldiers' lives, and publicizing this only benefits Hamas. But Liberman doesn't care. This is a criminal leak from a subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee," stated the Israeli Prime Minister.
Netanyahu defended his policy, claiming that Israel is conducting various actions to overthrow Hamas. "Israel is working to defeat Hamas in various and diverse ways, on the recommendation of all the heads of the security establishment," he added. Lieberman, however, argued that the weapons given to the clans would be used later on against Israel.
It is rumoured that Netanyahu supports a group led by Yasser Abu Shabab. According to the group's Facebook post, the clan aims to "defend our people from the oppression and terrorism of the de facto [Hamas] government and to confront chaos and corruption." However, as the Financial Times notes, people from Gaza claim there is "a little clarity" about the orgainsation's real activities in Gaza Strip.
Local response and critique
"Hamas on Thursday issued a statement saying the comments by Israeli leaders proved Israel was 'arming criminal gangs in Gaza with the goal of creating social and security chaos,'" notes the Financial Times.
Yair Golan, the leader of the Democrats in Knesset, addressed the situation on X, claiming that "Netanyahu is a threat to Israel's national security. Instead of bringing about a deal...bringing the hostages home and providing security for Israeli citizens, he is creating a new ticking time-bomb in Gaza."
The Arab ambassador also highly criticised Netanyahu's decision, claiming the Israeli Prime Minister has "learned little since October 7." The Times of Israel's speaker also added that "Netanyahu worked to weaken the [Palestinian Authority] by bolstering Hamas in Gaza before October 7, and now he is doing it by bolstering this gang of criminals."
The IDF, as the Financial Times claims, denied commenting on the ties to the anti-Hamas clans.
Source: The Financial Times, BBC, Ynetnews, The Times of Israel
