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.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel has “activated” some clans of Palestinians in Gaza that are opposed to Hamas, though it was not immediately clear what role they would play