Smotrich threatens to walk if Hamas gets a single shekel of aid

After Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attacked IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir at a meeting of the Security Cabinet yesterday (Tuesday), the minister addressed the stormy discussion this morning, saying that "the conduct of the civilian effort in Gaza in a way that does not reach Hamas has been and remains the most critical element for defeating Hamas and winning the war."

"I have no complaints against the chief of staff, my criticism is of the Prime Minister for not enforcing the implementation of the policy of the political echelon on the IDF. The prime minister is the one responsible – open a campaign to defeat Hamas, occupy Gaza and impose a temporary military government until another solution is reached, return the hostages and launch the Trump plan – otherwise this government has no right to exist."

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid responded to Smotrich's remarks, tweeting on his X account: "So now the government ministers are also attacking the 'offensive chief of staff' they chose, creating confrontations in the Cabinet and running to tell the guys. It's time to recognize the facts: This government can't win. They had a year and a half, they had full backing from the Americans, full backing from the opposition, and the excuses were over. There is no Biden, there is no Herzi, there is no Galant – that's them. A government that encourages evasion has lost the trust of the fighters, a government that is unable to define its strategy for the next day."

Smotrich criticized the new chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, for the way the war is being conducted. In fact, the chief of staff ruled out any alternative to a change in the distribution of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip – neither American companies nor the IDF – and said that aid should be brought in to civilians. Minister Smotrich attacked Zamir: "You will not choose your tasks, those who cannot carry out tasks will be replaced."