PM says it ‘saves lives of Israeli soldiers’, after accusations government is giving weapons to ‘criminals and felons’
The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has admitted arming clans in Gaza that he says are opposed to Hamas, after allegations that members of these criminal gangs looted humanitarian aid and have ties to jihadist groups.
The admission came after Israeli media reports quoted defence sources as saying Netanyahu had authorised giving weapons to a clan reportedly led by a man known as Yasser Abu Shabab, a Rafah resident from a Bedouin family, known locally for his involvement in criminal activity. Israel allegedly provided Abu Shabab’s group, which calls itself the “Anti-Terror Service”, with Kalashnikov assault rifles, including weapons seized from Hamas.
“On the advice of security officials, we activated clans in Gaza that oppose Hamas. What’s wrong with that?” Netanyahu said in a short video he posted on social media. “It only saves the lives of Israeli solders, and publicising this only benefits Hamas.”
Palestinians in Gaza marked the start of Eid al-Adha, one of Islam’s most important holidays, on Friday with prayers outside destroyed mosques and homes.
