Finance Min. Smotrich attacks Netanyahu & IDF over Gaza policy, demands humanitarian aid not be renewed

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich hinted he would quit the government if Israel renewed the humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, after clashing over the issue with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir in the cabinet meeting on Tuesday evening.

The next morning, Smotrich clarified that his criticism was targeted at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, prompting an anonymous press briefing by a “political source” denying that a decision to renew the aid was made.

“No decision has been made on bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza,” the source stated: “The political echelon has instructed the security establishment and the IDF to deprive Hamas of control over humanitarian aid in any situation that may develop.”

Smotrich has long advocated a more aggressive policy in the war, and has voiced increasing criticism over the past weeks as the fighting in the Gaza Strip has continued at a relatively low intensity.

According to Channel 12 News, a sharp clash broke out between several ministers and the IDF brass during Tuesday’s cabinet meeting.

Defense Minister Israel Katz reportedly stressed that Israel would not allow the resumption of aid deliveries by international aid organizations, instead reiterating that he plans to have aid distributed by the IDF or by American companies.

Zamir replied that neither would IDF soldiers distribute aid, nor would Israel allow the Gazans to starve, which prompted outraged reactions by several ministers.

“What do you mean? You are carrying out orders,” Smotrich retorted according to a leaked transcript.

“We determined that no aid will reach Hamas, and I don’t care how that is done. If you don’t know how to do it, then say: ‘Political echelon, I don’t know.’ In a democracy, the army doesn’t select its missions.”

“You will not stand here and say to us, ‘I will not do it,'” the finance minister warned. “That will not happen. Only the political echelon decides what the mission is.”

Alongside Smotrich, Israel Hayom news reported that ministers Yariv Levin, Eli Cohen, Ze’ev Elkin, and Orit Strock criticized Zamir, arguing he was “repeating the mistakes of his predecessor, Herzi Halevi.”

The IDF has faced calls from the U.N. and other international organizations to lift the blockade of humanitarian aid it imposed in March.

The military estimates that food, water, and fuel will begin to run out in around three weeks, according to media reports. However, army officials also estimate that Hamas stockpiled enough supplies during the last ceasefire to last even longer.

Netanyahu reportedly didn’t take a direct part in the clash during the cabinet meeting, and in the end, postponed the decision over the issue to Thursday.

The next morning, Smotrich released a statement reiterating that the deprivation of Hamas of aid “has always been and remains the most critical component in defeating Hamas… Unless we internalize and implement this, we will not win.”

“I have no complaints against the Chief of Staff. My criticism is aimed at the Prime Minister, who is not enforcing the political leadership’s policy on the IDF. Bringing in aid that ends up in Hamas’ hands is a step I will not support,” he threatened.

Smotrich further demanded to “launch a campaign to decisively defeat Hamas, conquer Gaza, and establish temporary military governance until an alternative is found, bring back the hostages, and initiate the Trump Plan. Otherwise, this government has no right to exist.”

The finance minister received support from the Generation of Victory Movement, which claims to represent thousands of reserve soldiers.

“Soldiers risking their lives on the ground refuse to watch the state continuously feed the enemy. The continued flow of fuel, food, and equipment – when we know full well it reaches Hamas and not the population – is a moral, security, and strategic failure,” the movement stated, adding that “the time has come to launch a maneuver aimed at inducing mass emigration… otherwise, even if we conquer Gaza, the Gaza problem will not go away.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid declared that the internal rifts show that “this government cannot win the war.”

“Now the government ministers are attacking even the new ‘offensive Chief of Staff’ they themselves selected, creating clashes in the cabinet,” Lapid said.

“A government that encourages draft dodging has lost the trust of our brave fighters. A government that can’t define its post-war strategy for Gaza will not bring victory. Hamas will have to be defeated under the next government. For now, bring the hostages home instead of constantly blaming others for your failures.”