For the first time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly acknowledged that Israel supported armed Palestinian groups within Gaza to weaken Hamas, confirming long-suspected reports of Israeli-backed local factions operating in the besieged territory.
In a video posted Thursday, Netanyahu stated that his government had “activated” powerful clan-based militias in Gaza based on recommendations from Israeli security officials. His admission comes after former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman accused the government of covertly supporting what he described as criminal gangs.
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One such group, the Popular Forces led by Rafah clan head Yasser Abu Shabab, has reportedly collaborated with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an Israeli-linked aid distributor. The group has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian groups for allegedly stealing aid and contributing to chaos at distribution sites, many of which operate under military protection.
The revelation has sparked outrage both within Israel and internationally. “These are criminal gangs being armed with Israeli weapons,” said Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut. “There was no cabinet-wide consultation.” Chris Gunness, a former UNRWA spokesperson, called the situation a “human abattoir,” blaming Israel and its allies for turning aid delivery into a deadly ordeal.
Amid the backlash, the GHF announced that all of its aid hubs are now closed following deadly incidents where Israeli forces fired on civilians at distribution points. Despite mounting pressure from humanitarian organizations, the US and Israel continue to back the GHF, alleging that previous aid networks were exploited by Hamas.
