Netanyahu Admits Israel Armed Criminal Gangs in Gaza to Undermine Hamas

In a stunning public admission, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israel is arming local armed gangs in Gaza to help combat Hamas, a move that has drawn fierce domestic and international backlash. The announcement marks the first time the Israeli government has officially acknowledged its backing of these so-called “clan-based militias,” which humanitarian groups have accused of criminal behavior, including stealing food aid in a region teetering on the edge of mass starvation.

The controversial strategy, revealed in a video statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), came just hours after former Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman publicly accused Netanyahu of arming Gaza gangs to use these armed proxies. Netanyahu said the decision was made on the advice of “security officials” and was intended to use local power structures to weaken Hamas’s grip on the territory.

כמו אז, גם היום – נתניהו תמיד נכנע לטרור.
צפו >> pic.twitter.com/cJo8tOPixA

— אביגדור ליברמן (@AvigdorLiberman) June 5, 2025

According to an Israeli official cited by the Associated Press, one of the groups Netanyahu referenced is the Popular Forces, a militia based in Rafah led by Yasser Abu Shabab, a local clan leader. The Netanyahu armed Gaza gangs reportedly consist of about 100 armed men and have been operating with Israeli military support. Reports from Haaretz previously described the group, under a different name, as a paramilitary force protecting Israel- and U.S.-backed aid centers.

Human rights workers and local aid organizations, however, have painted a much darker picture. Groups such as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which runs aid distribution centers, have been accused of colluding with these Netanyahu-armed Gaza gangs, leading to violent clashes and deadly incidents at food distribution sites. In the last week alone, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians seeking aid on four occasions, resulting in more than 100 casualties.

“This is not humanitarian aid — it’s a trap, a slaughterhouse,” said Chris Gunness, former UNRWA spokesperson. He described the GHF’s operations as turning Gaza into a “human abattoir,” with civilians herded into fenced areas only to be gunned down.

Amid this chaos, the GHF temporarily shut down operations for a day, only to reopen two aid centers in southern Gaza. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with hospitals reporting at least 52 Palestinians killed on Thursday alone, including children and journalists.

In a speech recorded earlier this week, Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya signaled the group’s willingness to negotiate a ceasefire, referencing a proposal from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. Hamas has requested changes to ensure an end to the conflict, while Israel has remained firm on its military campaign, breaking off a previous truce in March.

As famine tightens its grip and Israeli airstrikes continue, Netanyahu’s admission adds a new layer of controversy to an already explosive situation, raising questions not only about Israel’s military tactics but also its role in fueling lawlessness in Gaza under the guise of defeating Hamas.

With criticism mounting both at home and abroad, Netanyahu’s decision to empower Gaza’s armed clans could go down as one of the most divisive moves of his premiership.