Arming and Funding… Is Israel Repeating the Lahad Army Experience in Gaza?

6th June 2025

4 minutes read

Arming and Funding… Is Israel Repeating the Lahad Army Experience in Gaza?

Israel appears to be replicating its 1970s experience in southern Lebanon—known as the “Lahad Army”—by arming and financing armed Palestinian groups in Gaza.

Former Israeli Defense Minister and opposition party leader Avigdor Lieberman dropped a bombshell by revealing that Israel has been arming Palestinian groups in Gaza.

The bigger shock came when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the move—and even boasted about it.

In a video released by his office Thursday evening, Netanyahu said: “After consulting with security officials, we benefited from the clans in Gaza that oppose Hamas.”

He added: “What’s wrong with that? It’s a good thing—it saves the lives of Israeli soldiers.” He then criticized Lieberman, saying: “The real danger is Lieberman’s disclosure of this move… Publicizing it only serves Hamas.”

According to Israel’s Times of Israel news site, Israeli defense sources confirmed Thursday that Israel is arming a criminal gang in Gaza as part of efforts to bolster opposition to Hamas.

Lieberman told Israel’s public broadcaster that Netanyahu unilaterally approved sending weapons to the Abu Shabab clan—a militia opposed to Hamas rule in Gaza.

He accused the Israeli government of “providing weapons to a group of criminals affiliated with ISIS, under orders from the Prime Minister.”

“To my knowledge, this decision didn’t go through the cabinet,” he said, adding that the Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar, was aware, but he didn’t know if the army chief of staff had been informed.

Gang or Militia?

The Times of Israel further reported that the group, sometimes described as a militia and other times as a criminal gang, is led by Yasser Abu Shabab, a member of a large southern Gaza tribe.

The group had previously been involved in smuggling operations with terrorist organizations. It remains unclear why Lieberman claimed it was linked to ISIS.

Recent footage shared by Abu Shabab online showed members dressed in military uniforms bearing the Palestinian flag and the phrase “Counter-Terrorism Unit.”

Israel’s public broadcaster stated that Israel recently provided light weapons to groups opposed to Hamas in Gaza, saying the move aimed to help them protect themselves and create a balance of power on the ground.

This operation was reportedly approved by Netanyahu without informing all members of the security cabinet or some intelligence services.

In response, the Prime Minister’s office said: “Israel is working to defeat Hamas in different and varied ways, based on recommendations from all security service heads.”

Weapons, Equipment, and Money

The issue gained more traction after Israel’s public broadcaster aired an interview Thursday night with a security operative involved in the weapons transfer to Gaza.

His identity was withheld, but his statements were compelling.

“We’re talking about a military force that receives instructions from high command and arms gangs operating in Gaza’s battlegrounds, under the direction of Shin Bet officers in the field,” he said.

He continued: “This was done at the request of Military Intelligence (AMAN) and Shin Bet. I don’t know the exact number of operations, but I believe there have been several in different areas of the Strip.”

He added: “We smuggled in firearms, lots of equipment—and not just equipment—I believe there was also money and more.”

He concluded: “It wasn’t just additional military support, but high-level backing. And the weapons were definitely obtained from within Gaza—whether confiscated or recovered somehow.”

Strong Opposition

The revelations sparked intense backlash from Israel’s opposition.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on X: “After handing Hamas millions of dollars, Netanyahu is now arming ISIS-affiliated factions in Gaza—improvised and without strategic planning—causing even more disasters.”

He added: “These weapons will ultimately be used against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians. This government must resign.”

Repeating the Lahad Army Model?

Israel hasn’t taken such steps since the 1970s, when it supported the formation of the “Lahad Army” in southern Lebanon.

Formed in 1976 in Marjayoun, the South Lebanon Army (SLA), also known as the Lahad Army, was a militia backed by Israel. It consisted of local villagers and defectors from the Lebanese Army.

The SLA clashed with Palestinian factions that dominated southern Lebanon at the time. Following Israel’s 1978 invasion (Operation Litani), the militia’s control expanded.

It fought Israel’s enemies: the PLO, Amal Movement, Lebanese Communist Party, Mourabitoun, and later Hezbollah after 1982.

Its first commander was Major Saad Haddad. After Haddad’s death from cancer in 1984, Antoine Lahad took over. At its peak, the SLA had around 6,000 fighters.