Critics warn that Israel's move to arm "clan factions in Gaza" to combat Hamas could lead to future repercussions for the country.
In a scathing accusation, Israeli opposition leader and former Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman has blasted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for allegedly authorizing weapons transfers to a criminal gang in Gaza that he likened to the infamous ISIS terror group. Netanyahu later confirmed the operation, stating it was aimed at saving Israeli forces from Hamas in the Palestinian territory.
"Israel is arming a group in Gaza equivalent to ISIS," Liberman thundered during a radio interview. "It's a goddamn mess, and I have no clue who sanctioned it."
According to Liberman, the head of Israel's primary domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet, was privy to the weapons transfers. However, it remains unclear if the Israeli Defense Forces are aware of this cloak-and-dagger operation.
Liberman may have been alluding to a militia known as the Popular Forces of Palestine, led by Yasser Abu Shabab. This group is at odds with Hamas—the Israeli- and US-designated terrorist group Israel has been locked in conflict with for over a year and a half.
The Popular Forces originated in the southern Gaza city of Rafah and is believed to be a small but formidable armed group. They've been under fire for looting trucks delivering aid to Gaza's struggling populace, an accusation they've vehemently denied.
Reports suggest that Shabab was previously imprisoned by Hamas for drug smuggling, and his brother was reportedly killed by Hamas during their crackdown on attacks on U.N. aid convoys.
On Thursday, Netanyahu acknowledged the weapons transfers to certain factions in Gaza hostile to Hamas, remarking that it was a smart move. Despite this, Abu Shabab vehemently denied receiving weapons from Israel, dismissing the allegations as a desperate attempt to smear their reputation.
Hamas, orchestrator of the October 2023 terror attack on southern Israel, reacted sharply to Netanyahu's remarks, vowing to treat any individual linked to these groups as ISIS soldiers. They pledged to mete out "full force" against them.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid issued a warning, claiming that weapons sent to Gaza would inevitably be turned against Israeli forces and citizens. For decades, Israel has faced criticism for allowing Hamas to grow weak and entrench its control in Gaza. Critics have branded this policy a cynical move to prevent a united Palestinian leadership from taking root in Gaza and the West Bank.
Lapid accused Netanyahu of taking things too far by arming groups akin to ISIS in Gaza, acting without any strategic planning or forethought—conduct that, in Lapid's view, would only lead to further disasters.
- Politics
- Middle East
- Israel
- Gaza
- Benjamin Netanyahu
- Terrorism
- Hamas
- Avigdor Liberman
- ISIS
- Yasser Abu Shabab
- Militia
- The Israeli opposition leader, Avigdor Liberman, has strongly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for allegedly authorizing weapons transfers to a militia group in Gaza, comparing it to the terrorist group ISIS, which is a significant political issue in the Middle East.
- In a radio interview, Liberman expressed confusion over who approved the weapons transfers, alluding to possible involvement of the head of Israel's primary domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet, in this operation.
- The militia in question is believed to be the Popular Forces of Palestine, led by Yasser Abu Shabab, a group that is in conflict with Hamas - a terrorist group Israel has been dealing with for over a year and a half.
- The arms transfer controversy further intensifies the political tension in the region, with Israeli political leaders like Yair Lapid warning that weapons sent to Gaza could be used against Israeli forces and citizens, and Hamas threatening to treat those linked to these groups as ISIS soldiers.
