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European Delegation Asserts Need to End Palestinian Division

French Consul General in Jerusalem Rene Troccaz is pictured during a visit to a desalination plant in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, on November 24, 2021. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP)
French Consul General in Jerusalem Rene Troccaz is pictured during a visit to a desalination plant in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, on November 24, 2021. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP)
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European Delegation Asserts Need to End Palestinian Division

French Consul General in Jerusalem Rene Troccaz is pictured during a visit to a desalination plant in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, on November 24, 2021. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP)
French Consul General in Jerusalem Rene Troccaz is pictured during a visit to a desalination plant in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, on November 24, 2021. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP)

A European delegation of 20 diplomats began Wednesday a two-day visit to the Gaza Strip to meet Palestinian officials and assess the humanitarian situation.

The EU spokesman in Jerusalem, Shadi Othman, indicated that this is the largest European diplomatic delegation to visit the Strip at one time.

The visit aims to allow officials to see firsthand the developments in Gaza, send a political message calling for lifting the inhumane blockade on Gaza, and heal the Palestinian national rift in a way that would allow the Palestinian government to perform its duties in Gaza to the fullest.

Othman confirmed that the delegation would meet with several Palestinian officials, national figures, and citizens to hear their views on the latest developments.

The diplomats intend to visit strawberry farms in Beit Lahia and As-Sudaniya area in northern Gaza and meet with farmers.

They will also visit the water desalination plant in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, and the Karm Abu Salem commercial crossing with Israel.

According to Othman, they will hold a news conference at the fishermen's port in the west of Gaza City, who said the situation in the strip is considered a political and humanitarian issue for the EU.

The delegation plans to meet with government officials, according to the spokesman of the Palestinian government, Ibrahim Melhem.

Melhem announced that a ministerial delegation, chaired by Minister of Public Works Muhammad Ziara, would go to Gaza on Thursday to meet with the European delegation.

The spokesman indicated that a meeting would be held between the two delegations, during which the ministers will explain the sector's needs.

The meeting comes within the framework of the preparations made by the Palestinian government to hold a special session to discuss the Gaza Strip, he added.

The session will be devoted to discussing budgets, whether from financiers, Arab and Islamic funds, or the treasury, said the spokesman.

The session will also discuss the development projects that the government has implemented or other projects planned for the future.

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Netanyahu’s Admission of Arming Gaza Militias Sparks Political Uproar in Israel

Displaced Palestinians receive aid from the US-backed “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” in Rafah, on Thursday (AFP)
Displaced Palestinians receive aid from the US-backed “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” in Rafah, on Thursday (AFP)
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Netanyahu’s Admission of Arming Gaza Militias Sparks Political Uproar in Israel

Displaced Palestinians receive aid from the US-backed “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” in Rafah, on Thursday (AFP)
Displaced Palestinians receive aid from the US-backed “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” in Rafah, on Thursday (AFP)

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.