Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that his government has supplied weapons to armed groups in Gaza opposed to Hamas, a revelation that has ignited fierce backlash across the Israeli political spectrum.
In a video posted Thursday on his official X account, Netanyahu said the decision was made on the advice of senior security officials, with the goal of protecting Israeli soldiers amid the ongoing war in Gaza, which has stretched on for over 18 months.
The admission came after former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman publicly accused the government of covertly arming what he described as “criminal groups affiliated with ISIS.”
Speaking on Israeli public radio, Lieberman said the move was carried out under Netanyahu’s orders and without cabinet approval. He added that while the head of the Shin Bet was informed, he was unsure if the military chief of staff had been aware.
The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported that the groups in question were armed with Kalashnikov rifles and were operating without the knowledge of other ministers.
The report noted that the issue was discussed in a closed session of a Knesset committee, where members of the security and intelligence community were summoned to explain the policy.
While Netanyahu did not deny the allegations, his office issued a statement defending the strategy, saying Israel was “working to defeat Hamas through various means, based on recommendations from all security agency heads.” The Shin Bet declined to comment.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the move, accusing Netanyahu of reckless policymaking.
“After handing millions to Hamas, Netanyahu is now arming factions close to ISIS, without strategy or oversight. These weapons will end up aimed at Israeli soldiers and civilians,” Lapid warned.
Left-wing lawmaker Merav Michaeli echoed the outrage, saying: “They accused Rabin of arming Arabs - now Netanyahu’s government is equipping ISIS-style militias. This is a path to endless war.”
Even members of Netanyahu’s own Likud party expressed alarm. Knesset Member Tally Gottlieb called the move “unbelievable nonsense”
“Are we seriously arming ISIS and al-Qaeda now? This is madness.”
Reports indicate one such group may be led by Yasser Abu Shabab, a Gazan reportedly linked to ISIS. A recent video released by Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, showed their fighters attacking Abu Shabab’s group in Rafah, resulting in multiple casualties.
