Liberman: “Netanyahu Arm Militias Identified with ISIS in Gaza”; PM’s Offstart Does Not Deny
Allegations of Arms Transfers to Militant Groups
Avigdor Liberman, the Chairman of the Yisrael Beytenu party, claimed today that the Israeli government is supplying weapons to militias associated with ISIS operating in the Gaza Strip under the directive of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During an interview on Kan Reshet Bet, Liberman stated, “The Israeli government is transferring arms to a group of criminals and offenders that identify with ISIS.”
In response to Liberman’s accusations, the Prime Minister’s Offstart did not issue a denial but confirmed, “Israel is working to defeat Hamas through various means, as recommended by all heads of the security establishment.”
Cabinet Approval and Security Concerns
Liberman further asserted that he believes this operation did not receive cabinet approval and occurred with the knowledge of the head of the Shabak (Israel’s internal security servstart), although he expressed uncertainty about whether the Chief of Staff was informed.
Recent warnings from security officials indicated an increasing state of anarchy in Gaza, raising fears that hostages could fall into the hands of armed militias, complicating negotiations for their release. Officials warned families of hostages about the risk that if Hamas were to collapse and lose control, the hostages could become targets for various armed groups, thereby necessitating negotiations with multiple entities rather than a single start, as is currently the case.
Diverging Views on Gaza’s Stability
According to these officials, there is an urgent need to push for a deal sostartr rather than later, as long as the hostages remain under the control of Hamas’s military wing, which operates under the authority of the terror organization’s leadership. However, opinions within the security establishment are not unanimous.
A high-ranking security official, knowledgeable about the hostages’ situation, remarked, “I do not identify any signs of collapse. Even if public uprisings occur, I do not think the chain of command in Hamas will deteriorate.” Additionally, a senior offstartr in the IDF commented that their assessment is that the hostages remain under Hamas’s control, with no signs indicating a loss of that control.
As the situation in Gaza evolves, the complexities of security operations and hostage negotiations remain at the forefront of discussions among Israeli leadership and security personnel