Israel Secretly Armed Criminal Militias in Gaza to Undermine Hamas, Report Reveals
Leaked information confirms Netanyahu-approved weapons transfers to anti-Hamas factions in Gaza without cabinet oversight; Hamas accuses Israel of engineering chaos and theft of humanitarian aid.
Watan-Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported on Thursday that the Israeli government secretly armed Palestinian factions in Gaza that oppose Hamas, claiming it was for “self-defense” against the movement.
According to the report, this operation was approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu without the knowledge of Israel’s Security Cabinet or senior defense officials.
The matter reportedly reached a closed-door Knesset committee, where intelligence representatives were asked to provide briefings. Former Defense Minister and Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Avigdor Lieberman revealed these details in an interview with KAN Reshet Bet Radio Thursday morning.
Lieberman stated:“The Israeli government is transferring weapons to criminal and outlawed groups in Gaza who align themselves with ISIS, based on orders from the Prime Minister.”
He added:“As far as I know, this was not approved by the Cabinet. The head of the Shin Bet was aware, but I don’t know to what extent the army chief of staff was informed.”
The Shin Bet (Israel’s internal security agency) declined to comment.
Lieberman further revealed:“Large quantities of weapons — including assault rifles and light arms — are being secretly delivered to crime families in Gaza based on Netanyahu’s directives.”
He warned that “these groups are Gaza’s version of ISIS” and that no mechanism exists to ensure the weapons won’t be used against Israel.
Netanyahu did not deny the leaks. A statement from his office responded:“Israel is working to defeat Hamas through various and multifaceted strategies, based on the recommendations of all security agency heads.”
Hamas Responds: Israel Engineering Chaos and Famine
In response, Hamas issued a statement calling Lieberman’s remarks a “serious and undeniable confirmation” that the Israeli army is arming criminal gangs in Gaza to sow security and societal disorder.
The statement said:“This official admission proves what field evidence has shown for months — direct coordination between looters and collaborators with the occupation army to loot humanitarian aid and fabricate crises that deepen the suffering of our besieged people.”
Hamas further asserted that Israel is not only bombing Gaza but also orchestrating looting and starvation through its proxies:“These gangs, which practice betrayal and theft, operate under direct Zionist security supervision. They are cheap tools in the enemy’s hands and enemies of our people.”
The group called on Gaza residents to be vigilant, socially reject these gangs, and cooperate with local security and popular committees to protect the community and its resources from internal arms of the occupation.
This revelation comes amid widespread criticism of Israel’s role in blocking humanitarian aid and accusations surrounding the massacre at an aid distribution site in Rafah, which an investigation has confirmed as a responsibility of the Israeli military.
