Netanyahu Confirms Israel Supports Gaza Clans with Arms to Combat Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly acknowledged that Israel has supplied weapons to local clans in the Gaza Strip as part of ongoing efforts to undermine Hamas. This statement came as Netanyahu responded to sharp criticism from opposition lawmaker and former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who accused the government of arming what he described as "criminal gangs" in the enclave. Lieberman further cautioned that these weapons could eventually be turned against Israel due to the lack of oversight or tracking mechanisms.

Netanyahu, addressing the controversy in a video message posted to his X account, defended the government's actions, attributing the move to the advice of national security experts. “On the advice of security officials, we activated clans in Gaza that oppose Hamas,” he said. “What’s wrong with that? It’s only a good thing. It only saves the lives of IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldiers.” Israeli officials reportedly indicated that the initiative was approved by Netanyahu and executed in close coordination with the country’s internal security agency, Shin Bet. Notably, the decision was made without obtaining approval from the broader Security Cabinet.

This revelation comes at a time when Gaza is enduring a deepening humanitarian crisis. After nearly 20 months under siege, relentless airstrikes, and ground offensives, much of Gaza lies in ruins. Essential infrastructure—including hospitals, schools, electricity grids, and farmland—has sustained extensive damage or destruction. A full blockade on the flow of aid and supplies has persisted for 80 days, leading to conditions of widespread starvation.

According to recent updates from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Israeli authorities continued to deny or disrupt coordinated humanitarian operations. On Wednesday alone, of the 16 requests to move critical supplies or personnel, five were outright rejected—these included missions to deliver water and nutritional goods, as well as efforts to transport fuel stocks. An additional six missions were disrupted or canceled, further compounding the difficulties faced by aid organizations on the ground.

The UN reports that more than 90 percent of families in Gaza now lack the cash needed to purchase even the scant food items available in local markets. Fresh meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables are all but absent from diets, while eggs have once again disappeared from shelves—further evidence of the dire situation gripping the enclave.

Calls for an immediate end to the violence continue to mount internationally. On Wednesday, the UN Security Council introduced a draft resolution demanding both an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the easing of restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid. The proposal received overwhelming support from 14 out of 15 Council members; however, a veto from the United States prevented its adoption.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced disappointment over the veto and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Gaza's population. He also renewed calls to preserve the two-state solution, warning of the consequences should that prospect fade. “For those that doubt the two-state solution, I ask: What is the alternative? Is it a one-state solution in which either the Palestinians are expelled or the Palestinians will be forced to live in their land without rights? That would be totally unacceptable,” Guterres stated.

Despite mounting diplomatic pressure and the worsening conditions on the ground, Israel's government has remained firm in its refusal to discuss possible governance arrangements for Gaza following the conclusion of current hostilities. Both Netanyahu and his ministers have been clear in their position that the Palestinian Authority will not be permitted to govern the territory once fighting ends.