Israel Equipping Gaza Militias Battling Hamas; Netanyahu Confirms This
In a surprising development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly acknowledged that Israel is backing militias in southern Gaza opposed to Hamas. Netanyahu made this revelation following a disclosure by Avigdor Lieberman, former deputy prime minister and minister of defense, to the press on Thursday.
"So what did Lieberman leak? That we've established groups counter to Hamas? What’s the big deal? If anything, it’s a smart move. It safeguards Israeli soldiers. But this information leaking is merely beneficial for Hamas," said Netanyahu during a press conference.
This move has stirred internal controversy in Israel, with Lieberman himself voicing criticism.
Aid Distribution Stalled Indefinitely
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) suspended its aid distribution operations on Friday, without providing a date for resumption. The warning comes as Palestinians in Gaza face a disconcerting risk of extreme starvation and potential famine, as per concerns expressed by the United Nations and other aid groups.
Earlier this week, several casualties were reported among those attempting to reach the aid distribution sites. According to eyewitness accounts, international aid organizations working in Gaza, and the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health, the majority of these victims sustained gunshot wounds.
The Israel Defense Forces have stated that they conducted warning shots about half a kilometer from the aid distribution center, targeting individuals who were approaching in a threatening manner, as per IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin in a video statement.
humanitarian groups and UN Criticize New Aid Distribution Plan in Gaza
The aid disruptions have prompted criticism from humanitarian groups and the United Nations. The GHF, a joint venture by the US and Israel, is now the main organization providing aid in the war-torn Gaza Strip. The U.N. has criticized the move as an attempt to bypass established humanitarian channels like UNRWA[1].
The GHF resumed aid distribution at two sites on Thursday but halted operations again on Friday. The GHF urged people to steer clear of the distribution sites for their safety in a social media post on Friday.
This development follows an 11-week blockade imposed by the Israeli government on all aid entering Gaza, allegedly to put pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages in Gaza.
[1] UNRWA: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
- In response to the suspension of aid distribution operations by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), humanitarian groups and the United Nations have criticized the new aid distribution plan in Gaza, claiming it as an attempt to bypass established humanitarian channels like UNRWA.
- Due to the ongoing conflict and the stalled aid distribution in Gaza, Palestinians face a disconcerting risk of extreme starvation and potential famine, as per concerns expressed by the United Nations and other aid groups.
- The Israel Defense Forces have acknowledged conducting warning shots about half a kilometer from the aid distribution centers, targeting individuals who were approaching in a threatening manner, as indicated in a video statement by IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin.
- The revelation by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel is backing militias in southern Gaza opposed to Hamas has ignited international debate on the role of politics, war-and-conflicts, and general news in the travel and food security of the region.
