Netanyahu admits arming Gaza gangs to undermine Hamas

Netanyahu said Liberman’s disclosing the plan helps only Hamas.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted to arming gangs hostile to Hamas after Yisrael Beytenu Party Chair MK Avigdor Liberman exposed the policy Thursday in an interview on KAN Reshet Bet radio.

Netanyahu defended arming Gaza gangs who would fight against Hamas and weaken the power of the terror group that has dominated the Gaza Strip.

He said, “With the approval of security officials, we empowered clans in Gaza that oppose Hamas. This is only beneficial and saves the lives of IDF soldiers.”

Netanyahu criticized Liberman for publicizing the plan as a way to criticize the government, adding that the disclosure bolsters Hamas.

“The publication of this only benefits Hamas – but Liberman doesn’t care,” Netanyahu said.

Shortly after the interview, the Prime Minister’s Office released a statement neither confirming nor denying Liberman’s remarks.

Security officials expressed shock at Liberman’s disclosure, given the risk involved. They told The Jerusalem Post that such revelations “put our soldiers and hostages at risk.”

“Israel’s interest is not to endanger the lives of our soldiers, but rather to use other means whenever possible,” the security source concluded.

In the interview, Liberman intended to disparage Netanyahu’s government by describing the policy. “The Israeli government is delivering weapons to a group of criminals who are sympathetic with ISIS, on the orders of the prime minister,” he said.

He added, “I don’t believe this received cabinet approval. The head of Shin Bet [Israel Security Agency] was likely informed,  but I don’t know how much the chief of staff was privy to the matter.”

When asked about the plan by KAN, the Shin Bet gave no comment.

The group receiving military aid is the Abu Shabab clan, led by Yasser Abu Shabab. It opposes Hamas’s rule in Gaza and is involved mainly in smuggling. It has worked with an Egyptian jihadi group, but it is unclear why Liberman alleged the group is sympathetic to ISIS.