Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel is arming anti-Hamas militias in southern Gaza, a move he defended as a way to protect Israeli soldiers.

The revelation follows a leak by former defense minister Avigdor Lieberman and has sparked political backlash within Israel.

Meanwhile, Gaza faces worsening humanitarian conditions, with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation halting aid distribution due to security concerns and deadly incidents at food centers, ABC News has reported.

The region remains under threat of famine, and despite a partial lifting of an 11-week Israeli blockade, chaos and gunfire have plagued relief efforts, with the Red Cross responding to multiple mass casualty events.

Written by B.C. Begley