Israel is supporting anti-Hamas fighters in Gaza, Netanyahu admits: ‘What is bad about that?'

Indian Express

a day ago

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has admitted that the country is supporting an armed group in Gaza that opposes Hamas. His remarks come amid heavy Israeli air raids on the enclave that have left dozens dead.
Speaking in a video posted on social media on Thursday, Netanyahu confirmed reports that Israel had worked with local armed groups in Gaza. These groups, often described as criminal gangs by aid agencies, have been accused of stealing food and supplies meant for civilians.
'What did Liberman leak? That security sources activated a clan in Gaza that opposes Hamas? What is bad about that?' Netanyahu said, referring to Avigdor Liberman, a former defence minister who first spoke about the plan. 'It is only good, it is saving lives of Israeli soldiers.'
This is the first time the Israeli government has publicly acknowledged it is supporting armed groups in Gaza. The group in question is reportedly led by Yasser Abu Shabab, a local figure based in Rafah, and is believed to belong to a Bedouin tribe spread between Gaza and Egypt's Sinai region.
A senior Israeli official told the Associated Press that the group Netanyahu referred to is known as the Popular Forces. Israeli newspaper Haaretz had earlier reported on it under a different name – the 'Anti-Terror Service' – and said it was made up of about 100 fighters operating with Israeli approval.
In recent weeks, the Abu Shabab group claimed it was helping protect aid trucks heading to new distribution centres run by the US and Israel-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). However, humanitarian workers and local officials say these fighters have been involved in attacks on civilians and aid convoys.
Chris Gunness, a former UN spokesperson, said Gaza's aid system had become a 'human abattoir', blaming the way aid was being handled. He said people were 'herded like animals' into distribution zones and then 'slaughtered like cattle'.
Violence around aid points has increased sharply. Over the past week, at least 100 people have been killed while trying to collect food, with Israeli soldiers opening fire on four different occasions, according to Al Jazeera. The GHF shut operations for a day after widespread criticism, reopening only two centres later, without confirming when full aid delivery would resume.
Meanwhile, Abu Shabab's group denies working with Israel. In a post online, it said, 'We have never been, and will never be, a tool of the occupation. Our weapons are old, and our people support us.'
Hamas, which has governed Gaza for nearly two decades, said the group had 'chosen betrayal and theft as their path' and called on residents to resist them. It claimed it had proof of coordination between these armed men and Israeli forces, accusing them of making Gaza's humanitarian crisis worse.
Hamas's political chief, Khalil al-Hayya, said in a statement that the group had not rejected a new ceasefire proposal from the US but had asked for changes to ensure an end to the war. Talks with international mediators were continuing, he added.
Meanwhile, Israeli attacks continued across Gaza on Thursday. Health officials reported that at least 52 people were killed, including several children. Four journalists were also reportedly killed in a strike on al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City.
(With inputs from agencies)