As Israel faces internal and external scrutiny, Netanyahu's admission of arming a clan in Gaza aimed at opposing Hamas has ignited a political backlash, with critics emphasizing the risks involved in his strategy.**
Netanyahu Acknowledges Arming Clans in Gaza Amid Controversy**
Netanyahu Acknowledges Arming Clans in Gaza Amid Controversy**
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed the provision of weapons to clans opposed to Hamas, raising security concerns among political figures.**
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly confirmed reports that Israel is supplying arms to clans in Gaza that are positioned against Hamas. This revelation follows claims from Israeli media sources indicating his authorization of weapons deliveries to a specific group led by Yasser Abu Shabab, located in southern Gaza.
In a response to mounting criticism, Netanyahu defended the move through a social media video, stating, "What’s wrong with this? It only saves the lives of Israeli soldiers. Publicizing it only helps Hamas." His comments indicate a complicated landscape of alliances in Gaza, where the group receiving arms has presented itself as an alternative to Hamas but is also embroiled in allegations of looting humanitarian aid deliveries.
The situation has attracted fierce criticism from various Israeli politicians, including Avigdor Lieberman, who leads the Yisrael Beiteinu party. Lieberman accused Netanyahu of endangering national security by providing arms to what he described as "a group of criminals and felons, identified with the Islamic State group." Notably, he claimed that this action was taken without the necessary approval from the Israeli cabinet.
Defense sources have reportedly confirmed that the weapons supplied included Kalashnikov rifles, some of which were originally seized from Hamas. Nonetheless, Yasser Abu Shabab publicly denied receiving arms from Israel, asserting that their equipment was outdated and derived from local support.
The political implications of this initiative are significant. Critics such as Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats in the Knesset, have warned that Netanyahu's approach is undermining Israel’s security and potentially creating further chaos in Gaza.
Amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region, the situation escalates with claims from Hamas suggesting that their armed wing is targeting members of Abu Shabab’s clan. Netanyahu’s government maintains that it is pursuing various strategies to dismantle Hamas operations in Gaza while the UN continues to alert the international community regarding the dire humanitarian conditions that the majority of Gaza’s residents are currently facing.
