Netanyahu’s Plan to Arm Gaza Clans Against Hamas Sparks Backlash and Future Risk Warnings

Former Israeli Defense Minister and opposition lawmaker Avigdor Liberman on Thursday accused Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of authorizing weapons transfers to a criminal gang in Gaza that he likened to the ISIS terrorist group. Netanyahu appeared later in the day to confirm the operation, suggesting it would save the lives of Israeli forces battling Hamas in the Palestinian territory.

“They are receiving weapons from the state of Israel. It’s a total madness,” Liberman said in a radio interview. “It’s unclear to me who approved it.”

Liberman said the head of Israel’s primary domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet was aware of the weapons transfers, “but I’m not sure the [Israel Defense Forces] knows. We’re talking about the equivalent of ISIS in Gaza. No one can guarantee that these weapons will not be directed at Israel. We have no way of monitoring or following.”

Liberman appeared to be referring to a militia called the Popular Forces of Palestine, led by Yasser Abu Shabab. The group is opposed to Hamas.

Popular Forces is believed to be a relatively small armed group based in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. It has been accused of looting trucks trying to deliver aid to Gaza’s starving population, which its leader reportedly denied.