Israel is arming local militias in Gaza in an effort to counter Hamas in the besieged enclave, officials say, as opposition politicians warned that the move endangers national security.

Avigdor Liberman sat down with KAN's Reshet Bet on Thursday in interview, claiming Netanyahu is arming militias in Gaza. The Prime Minister’s Office and a security source on Thursday declined to refute Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman’s claim that Israel is arming crime families and militias in Gaza to fight Hamas.

The Israeli prime minister's comments on social media were the first public acknowledgment of Israel’s backing of armed Palestinian groups within Gaza, based around powerful families.