Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israel is supplying weapons to clans in Gaza opposed to Hamas, a controversial move meant to foster internal resistance but already drawing sharp criticism from within Israel and abroad.

Speaking via social media, Netanyahu defended the decision to arm anti-Hamas groups such as the one led by Yasser Abu Shabab in southern Gaza. “What’s wrong with this? It saves the lives of Israeli soldiers,” he said, while criticizing leaks that he claimed only “help Hamas”.

The confirmation follows reports by Israeli media and opposition politician Avigdor Lieberman, who said Netanyahu had unilaterally approved the weapons transfer without cabinet authorization. Israeli defense officials later validated Lieberman’s claims, stating that Kalashnikov rifles—some seized from Hamas—had been handed to the clan.

The Rise of Yasser Abu Shabab’s “Popular Force”

The militia, known as the Popular Force, controls a small area in southern Gaza under Israeli military presence. Videos show armed men, allegedly from the group, patrolling streets with M16 and AK-style rifles, and interacting with UN and Red Cross convoys.

Abu Shabab, who was accused of looting humanitarian aid earlier in the war, denies Israeli backing. “Our weapons are primitive—tribal weapons,” he told reporters, adding that support came from the local Bedouin community, not Israel. He also claims to protect displaced families in the Shouka neighborhood and distribute aid independently of Hamas.

Deepening Internal and External Backlash

The move has stirred significant political backlash. Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats in Israel’s Knesset, called Netanyahu’s actions “a new ticking time-bomb in Gaza.” Lieberman went further, accusing the government of arming “criminals and felons identified with the Islamic State group”.

Security experts doubt the militia’s long-term viability. “I’m quite sure Hamas is going to smash them,” said Michael Milstein, a former IDF intelligence official, warning that Abu Shabab’s lack of legitimacy and criminal past could undermine the effort.

Tensions With Hamas Escalate

Hamas has labeled the Abu Shabab group as collaborators and criminals. Its armed wing has attempted assassinations against the militia, killing members including Abu Shabab’s brother. In response, Abu Shabab reportedly blocked roads between Khan Younis and Rafah to secure his territory.

Hamas also accused Israel of “arming criminal gangs” to create chaos and manipulate aid flows. In retaliation, Abu Shabab’s group released videos accusing Hamas of aid theft, attempting to portray themselves as a stabilizing force in a war-ravaged zone.

After nearly two years of war in Gaza, Israel has not succeeded in dismantling Hamas’s control. Netanyahu has rejected the idea of reinstating the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, instead advocating for “local alternatives.” This strategy, however, has so far relied on controversial figures with dubious legitimacy and no clear path toward governance or public support.