Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Yasser Abu Shabab (right) and members of his group in Gaza are seen in an undated video posted by the group. (screen capture: Facebook, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirms that his government is arming clans in Gaza to oppose Hamas.
In the latest installment in a series of short interviews with advisor Topaz Luk, his office has posted in recent weeks, Netanyahu says that “in consultation with security officials, we made use of clans in Gaza that are opposed to Hamas.”
“What’s wrong with that?” he continues. “It’s only good. It saves the lives of IDF soldiers.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks in a video message from his office in Jerusalem, June 3, 2025. (Screenshot)
Avigdor Liberman, who heads the opposition Yisrael Beytenu party, told the Kan public broadcaster on Thursday morning that Netanyahu had unilaterally approved the transfer of weapons to the Abu Shabab clan, an armed gang or militia that is opposed to Hamas’s rule in the Gaza Strip.
“It’s extremely serious,” Netanyahu says of the leak, predicting that it won’t be investigated.
“Publicizing it only does good for Hamas,” argues Netanyahu.
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From the Liveblog of
Thursday, June 5, 2025
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