Netanyahu Admits Israel Armed Gaza Clans to Counter Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israel has been arming local clans in the Gaza Strip to fight against Hamas. In a video posted to his X account on Thursday, Netanyahu responded to accusations from opposition lawmaker Avigdor Lieberman, who claimed the prime minister had ordered the transfer of weapons to “criminal gangs” in Gaza.
“On the advice of security officials, we activated clans in Gaza that oppose Hamas,” Netanyahu said. “What’s wrong with that? It’s only a good thing. It only saves the lives of IDF [Israel Defense Forces] soldiers.”
Controversy Over Arming Clans
Lieberman, a former defense minister, criticized Netanyahu’s move, warning that the weapons might eventually be used against Israel. He expressed concern over the lack of monitoring or tracking of these arms, suggesting they could pose a future threat to Israeli security.
According to reports from Israel’s state-owned Kan TV news, Israeli officials speaking anonymously indicated that the initiative was approved by Netanyahu and coordinated with the Shin Bet internal security agency, without approval from the Security Cabinet.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza
This revelation comes amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The enclave has been under Israeli siege, airstrikes, and ground assaults for 20 months, leaving much of the area in ruins. Critical infrastructure like hospitals, universities, electricity networks, and farmland has been severely damaged or destroyed.
After 80 days of a full blockade preventing the entry of aid and supplies, the people of Gaza are facing severe shortages. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that Israeli authorities have continued to deny humanitarian movements requiring coordination.
On Wednesday, out of 16 attempts to coordinate such movements, five were rejected, including efforts to transport water, retrieve nutrition supplies, and relocate fuel stocks. Six other missions were disrupted or canceled, according to OCHA.
More than 90% of families in Gaza lack the cash to buy what little food remains in the markets. Meat, dairy products, vegetables, and fruits are nearly absent from people’s diets, and eggs have disappeared from the markets once again, OCHA reported.
UN Calls for Two-State Solution
On Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council proposed a draft resolution on Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid. The draft was supported by 14 of the 15 Security Council members but was vetoed by the United States.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed disappointment over the veto and emphasized the importance of preserving the two-state solution. “For those that doubt the two-state solution, I ask: What is the alternative? Is it a one-state solution in which either the Palestinians are expelled or the Palestinians will be forced to live in their land without rights? That would be totally unacceptable,” he said.
Israel has refused to discuss potential governance scenarios for Gaza after the conflict ends. Netanyahu and his ministers have stated that the Palestinian Authority will not govern the enclave.
