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, a former defence minister and member of the Knesset, had warned the Kan public television that the government was ‘giving weapons to a group of criminals and felons’ under Netanyahu’

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