Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly acknowledged that Israel has armed Palestinian clans in Gaza as part of its campaign against Hamas, drawing sharp domestic and international criticism over ties between the groups and alleged jihadist or criminal activity. The admission came as strikes by Israeli forces killed at least 52 Palestinians on Thursday, further escalating an already dire humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
"On the advice of security officials, we activated clans in Gaza that oppose Hamas. What's wrong with that?" Netanyahu stated in a video posted to social media. "It only saves the lives of Israeli soldiers, and publicising this only benefits Hamas."
Israeli officials and media reports identified one of the armed groups as the so-called "Anti-Terror Service," led by Yasser Abu Shabab, a Rafah resident with known criminal ties. Defense sources confirmed that Abu Shabab's group received Kalashnikov rifles, including weapons previously seized from Hamas.
Abu Shabab's collaboration with Israeli forces has been documented in videos circulating on social media, which show him operating alongside IDF soldiers in Gaza. Last week, his family publicly disowned him, calling his actions "a dangerous security framework" and stating, "His blood is forfeit."
Critics, including opposition leaders, voiced alarm over the government's association with what they described as criminal enterprises. "The Israeli government is giving weapons to a group of criminals and felons, identified with Islamic State, at the direction of the prime minister," said Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, on Kan Bet public radio. The basis for alleged IS ties remains unclear.
Jonathan Whittall, the UN's humanitarian coordinator for Palestinian territories, stated on May 28 that "the real theft of aid since the beginning of the war has been carried out by criminal gangs, under the watch of Israeli forces." He later confirmed he was referring to gangs such as Abu Shabab's.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a shadowy aid group operating with Israeli backing, also faces intense scrutiny after multiple fatal incidents during aid distribution. At least 100 people have been killed and dozens more wounded since last week as Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians at four separate aid sites. Former UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness condemned the operation, saying it had turned Gaza into a "human abattoir."
In response to the uproar, GHF suspended operations Wednesday but announced Thursday it would reopen two distribution centers in Rafah. A timeline for resumed aid distribution was not provided.
Meanwhile, the fallout from Netanyahu's actions may spill into Israeli politics. The ultra-Orthodox Shas party announced it would support dissolving the Knesset, citing frustration over stalled efforts to pass legislation maintaining military draft exemptions for yeshiva students. The IDF is currently seeking to enlist an additional 10,000 combat troops and 3,000 support personnel due to sustained operations in Gaza.
