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Netanyahu allegedly approved arming Palestinian gang opposed to Hamas: Report

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority has released a report saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the arming of a Palestinian gang in Gaza that opposes Hamas.

That happened without the knowledge of the cabinet, the report said, adding that the matter was revealed in an interview with Avigdor Lieberman, former defence minister, and leader of the opposition party Yisrael Beytenu.

Asked to respond to Lieberman’s comments, the office of the prime minister did not confirm nor deny the allegations, saying that Israel “is working to defeat Hamas in various and varied ways, on the recommendation of all heads of the security establishment”, according to the report.


Israeli media quote security source saying Netanyahu armed Palestinian group, rival to Hamas

Quoting a defence security source in a report that was allowed for publication by the Israeli army censor, The Times of Israel said Israel provided Kalashnikov rifles – seized from Hamas during the war – to an armed group “to strengthen opposition groups in the Strip”.

The group is led by Yasser Abu Shabab, a member of a clan in southern Gaza, the report said, adding that it operates in an area in Rafah under the control of the Israeli army. The sources said the arming of Abu Shabab’s group was carried out without the approval of Israel’s security cabinet.

In a separate report, Haaretz newspaper said satellite images and online videos show how the new armed group has expanded its presence in southern Gaza. The report said Abu Shabab launched two Facebook pages with anti-Hamas and anti-Palestinian Authority messages, promoting the group’s efforts and saying it aimed to provide security and distribute aid to civilians.


Israeli leader finally admits to arming gangs in Gaza

News was circulating within the last couple of days, and opposition lawmakers in the Israeli parliament were pointing the finger at the Israeli prime minister, accusing him of arming these gangs.

Netanyahu then released a statement saying, “What’s wrong with that?” and stated that, after consulting with the security services, he was the one who decided to do this.

The Israeli opposition claims that there was no consultation within the Israeli government or the Israeli cabinet. Netanyahu says that these armed gangs are ones that are opposed to Hamas, which could essentially help the Israelis defeat Hamas in Gaza.

But it’s not going down well within Israel, where people are saying that these are armed criminal enterprises within the Gaza Strip, that they should not be armed and that these are Israeli weapons that are being put in their hands.


No surprise since Netanyahu also funded Hamas to go up against Fatah. “What’s wrong with that?”