Despite the possible threat of US sanctions against it, the IDF Netzach Yehudah Battalion continued to operate in Beit Hanoun during the Passover holiday (Tuesday), destroying a number of terror infrastructures and tunnel shafts.
War cabinet member and State Camp party leader Benny Gantz told Secretary of State Anthony Blinken Sunday that he believes the decision to impose sanctions on the IDF's religious Netzach Yehudah Battalion is a "dual error."
Gantz argued that the sanctions would harm Israel's legitimacy in wartime, while being unnecessary since Israel has a strong and independent legal system, which ensures the IDF follows international law.
In light of all this, Gantz asked Blinken to reexamine the issue.
Gantz also said that Israel must, alongside the military pressure it applies against Hamas, look at the "day after" issue with the US and countries in the area to ensure the strengthening of the moderate axis in the region and pressure Hamas to free the hostages.
Prime Minister Netanyahu blasted the US State Department's intention to impose sanctions on the Netzah Yehuda Battalion of the Kfir Brigade due to allegations that members of the unit had repeatedly abused the human rights of Palestinian prisoners.
"It is forbidden to impose sanctions on the Israel Defense Forces!" Netanyahu tweeted. "For the past few weeks, I have been working against the imposition of sanctions on Israeli citizens, including in my conversations with senior American government officials."
"At a time when our soldiers are fighting the monsters of terror, the intention to impose sanctions on a unit in the IDF is the height of absurdity and a moral low. The government under my command will act by all means against these moves," added the Prime Minister.
