Israel’s Lieberman voices fear of empowered Hamas

JERUSALEM

Israel’s outgoing defense minister has warned that Hamas is only growing in strength in the blockaded Gaza Strip.

“We are feeding the monster,” Avigdor Lieberman, speaking on Facebook, said in reference to the Palestinian resistance faction.

“If we don't stop it from getting stronger, we will have Hezbollah's twin within a year,” he added.

Lieberman made the remarks on Friday -- two days after resigning his post in protest against a Tuesday cease-fire between Israel and Hamas-led resistance factions.

“It is unacceptable that after 500 rockets are fired at southern Israel [earlier this week], the Israeli government is providing immunity to Hamas leaders,” Lieberman said in reference to this week’s truce.

“Under [the Israeli government’s] current policy, not only [Hamas chief Ismail] Haniyeh, but all Hamas leaders, remain safe and sound,” he added.

“For two and a half years, I… tried to change government policy [vis-à-vis Gaza] from within,” Lieberman went on to assert.

“But the last two decisions -- the transfer of $90 million to Hamas and the cease-fire deal -- have been too much for me to bear,” he added.