Netanyahu defends arming Palestinian clans accused of ties with jihadist groups

PM says it saves lives of Israeli soldiers', after accusations government is giving weapons to criminals and felons'

The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has admitted arming clans in Gaza that he says are opposed to Hamas, after allegations that members of these criminal gangs looted humanitarian aid and have ties to jihadist groups.

The admission came after Israeli media reports quoted defence sources as saying Netanyahu had authorised giving weapons to a clan reportedly led by a man known as Yasser Abu Shabab, a Rafah resident from a Bedouin family, known locally for his involvement in criminal activity. Israel allegedly provided Abu Shabab's group, which calls itself the Anti-Terror Service", with Kalashnikov assault rifles, including weapons seized from Hamas.