Crime

By Pesach Benson • June 5, 2025

Jerusalem, 5 June, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel has transferred weapons to anti-Hamas elements in Gaza with the approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who did not deny the claim on Thursday.

“Israel is acting to defeat Hamas in various ways upon the recommendation of the heads of the security establishment,” the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement in response to comments made by MK Avigdor Liberman earlier in the day.

Liberman, leader of the opposition Israel Beiteinu party and a former defense minister told Kan News that the weapons transfers were taking place without Cabinet approval. He also said that some of the weapons reached groups aligned with Islamic State.

“The Israeli government is transferring weapons to a group of criminals and offenders who identify with ISIS, on the orders of the prime minister,” Liberman said. “In my opinion, this did not pass cabinet approval. This was with the knowledge of the head of the Shin Bet, but I don’t know how much the chief of staff was privy to the matter.”

The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) declined to comment.

Liberman’s remarks follow a recent claim by a Gaza-based armed faction asserting control over areas “liberated from Hamas.” Yasser Abu Shabaab, reportedly leading one of these militias, said in a recorded message that his forces operate “under the legitimate Palestinian government” — referring to the Palestinian Authority — and “in full coordination” with it.

At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 56 remaining hostages, 33 are believed to be dead.