Netanyahu confirms arming anti-Hamas criminal groups in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has admitted for the first time that Israel supported armed local groups in Gaza to help weaken Hamas, confirming reports of Israeli-backed Palestinian clans operating inside the besieged enclave.

In a video message posted on social media on Thursday, Netanyahu said the government had “activated” powerful family-based factions in Gaza, following advice from security officials.

His comments follow public accusations by former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who earlier criticised the secretive strategy.

An Israeli official quoted by the Associated Press identified one such group as the Popular Forces, led by Rafah clan leader Yasser Abu Shabab.

The group has been linked to Israeli-supported aid distribution centres run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial entity operating under military protection.

The acknowledgement marks Israel’s first public confirmation of its relationship with these groups, which humanitarian organisations have accused of criminal activity and stealing aid meant for civilians suffering under the blockade.

“It’s not going down well within Israel,” said Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut, reporting from Amman. “These are criminal gangs being armed with Israeli weapons. There was no cabinet-wide consultation.”

Read: Israeli airstrikes kill 43 in Gaza as suspended aid operations set to resume

Chris Gunness, former UNRWA spokesperson, condemned the situation as a “human abattoir,” blaming the Israeli military and its allies for creating dangerous aid conditions.

Aid distribution sites closed

The US-backed group behind the chaotic aid distribution programme in Gaza has said all its sites are closed, and has advised people to stay away from the hubs “for their safety”, reported Al Jazeera.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which began distributing aid last week, said in a Facebook post that details about reopening would be announced later.

Operations at the group’s aid distribution hubs were halted earlier this week following days of deadly violence at the sites, in which Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian aid seekers. Two sites distributed aid on Thursday.

The GHF’s approach has been fiercely criticised by humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations. But the US and Israel have pushed aid groups to work with it, claiming that aid distributed by prior, long-established distribution networks was diverted to Hamas.

Palestinians observe Eid

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank observed Eid al-Adha on Friday, marking one of Islam’s most sacred festivals amid ongoing conflict and deepening humanitarian challenges.

Muslims participate in a special morning prayer on the first day of the Eid al-Adha festival at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem [Ahmad Gharabli/AFP]

Across Palestinian towns and cities, worshippers gathered for morning prayers, many dressed in traditional attire. Despite the somber atmosphere in Gaza due to war and blockade, families shared modest meals and performed ritual animal sacrifices where possible.

Palestinian men and boys perform Eid al-Adha prayers in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip [Hatem Khaled/Reuters]

In the West Bank, scenes at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem showed thousands participating in early morning prayers, amid a heavy Israeli security presence.

A father celebrates with a child at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem [Ahmad Gharabli/AFP]

Photos from Gaza show families embracing beside tents, while in the West Bank, children clutched sweets and balloons after prayers

Ceasefire talks

Meanwhile, Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya said the group had not rejected a US-proposed ceasefire but had asked for amendments to ensure an end to the war. Talks with mediators are ongoing.

Yesterday, at least 43 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, medical sources report, as a controversial aid group backed by the United States and Israel prepares to reopen two distribution centres after a brief suspension.

The GHF announced on Thursday that it would resume limited operations, reopening two aid centres in Rafah following a full-day closure attributed to “maintenance and repair work.”

The group urged Palestinians to follow access routes designated by the Israeli military, which has warned that areas surrounding the centres could be treated as combat zones.

The GHF’s temporary closure followed multiple deadly incidents in recent days, in which Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on Palestinians attempting to access aid. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, at least 27 people were killed and around 90 wounded early Tuesday near a GHF site in Rafah. Similar incidents occurred on Sunday and Monday, with more than 60 reported deaths and hundreds injured.

The Israeli military has denied targeting civilians at the distribution sites, claiming soldiers only used warning shots against individuals not adhering to designated access routes or those posing a perceived threat. GHF has also dismissed reports of mass casualties at its facilities as “outright fabrications.”

Read more: UN says malnutrition rate among Gaza children triples

However, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed receiving 179 casualties from Sunday’s attack alone, with 21 declared dead on arrival. The organisation noted that women and children were among the victims, most suffering gunshot or shrapnel wounds.

The intensifying violence has sparked international condemnation. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an independent investigation into the killings of aid seekers, demanding that those responsible be held accountable. The United Kingdom echoed the call, with Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer describing the incidents as “deeply disturbing” and criticising Israel’s aid delivery mechanisms as “inhumane.”

Israel’s war on Gaza

The total death toll from Israel’s war on Gaza has risen to 54,418 killed and 124,190 injured since October 7, 2023, the ministry said, Al Jazeera reported.

Israel has killed 4,149 Palestinians and injured 12,149 since breaking two-month-old ceasefire on March 18 this year.

Israel’s atrocities have displaced around 90% of Gaza’s estimated 2 million residents, created a severe hunger crisis, and caused widespread destruction across the territory.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.