US-backed group behind chaotic aid distribution programme says its sites are closed, warns Palestinians to stay away
\n Gaza
\nIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has admitted for the first time that Israel supported armed local groups in Gaza to help weaken Hamas, confirming reports of Israeli-backed Palestinian clans operating inside the besieged enclave.
\nIn a video message posted on social media on Thursday, Netanyahu said the government had \u201cactivated\u201d powerful family-based factions in Gaza, following advice from security officials.
\nHis comments follow public accusations by former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who earlier criticised the secretive strategy.
\nAn Israeli official quoted by the Associated Press identified one such group as the Popular Forces, led by Rafah clan leader Yasser Abu Shabab.
\nThe group has been linked to Israeli-supported aid distribution centres run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial entity operating under military protection.
\nThe acknowledgement marks Israel\u2019s first public confirmation of its relationship with these groups, which humanitarian organisations have accused of criminal activity and stealing aid meant for civilians suffering under the blockade.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s not going down well within Israel,\u201d said Al Jazeera\u2019s Hamdah Salhut, reporting from Amman. \u201cThese are criminal gangs being armed with Israeli weapons. There was no cabinet-wide consultation.\u201d
\nChris Gunness, former UNRWA spokesperson, condemned the situation as a \u201chuman abattoir,\u201d blaming the Israeli military and its allies for creating dangerous aid conditions.
\nAid distribution sites closed
\nThe US-backed group behind the chaotic aid distribution programme in Gaza has said all its sites are closed, and has advised people to stay away from the hubs \u201cfor their safety\u201d, reported Al Jazeera.
\nThe Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which began distributing aid last week, said in a Facebook post that details about reopening would be announced later.
\nOperations at the group\u2019s aid distribution hubs were halted earlier this week following days of deadly violence at the sites, in which Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian aid seekers. Two sites distributed aid on Thursday.
\nThe GHF\u2019s approach has been fiercely criticised by humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations. But the US and Israel have pushed aid groups to work with it, claiming that aid distributed by prior, long-established distribution networks was diverted to Hamas.
\nPalestinians observe Eid
\nPalestinians in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank observed Eid al-Adha on Friday, marking one of Islam\u2019s most sacred festivals amid ongoing conflict and deepening humanitarian challenges.
\nMuslims participate in a special morning prayer on the first day of the Eid al-Adha festival at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem [Ahmad Gharabli\/AFP]
\nAcross Palestinian towns and cities, worshippers gathered for morning prayers, many dressed in traditional attire. Despite the somber atmosphere in Gaza due to war and blockade, families shared modest meals and performed ritual animal sacrifices where possible.
\nIn the West Bank, scenes at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem showed thousands participating in early morning prayers, amid a heavy Israeli security presence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
US-backed group behind chaotic aid distribution programme says its sites are closed, warns Palestinians to stay away Gaza Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has admitted for the first time that Israel supported armed local groups in Gaza to help weaken Hamas, confirming reports of Israeli-backed Palestinian clans operating inside the besieged enclave. In a video […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":483135,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-483110","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-world"],"yoast_head":"\n