"Insanity, Grave Mistake": Netanyahu Slammed Over Gaza Aid Decision

Government ministers and coalition members rushed to sharply criticize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday evening, following a meeting of the Security Cabinet in which he announced that immediate humanitarian aid would be allowed into the Gaza Strip, without a vote, after months of blockade.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said: "Our hostages receive no humanitarian aid," while Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party, accused Netanyahu of "hiding behind the IDF and the security establishment in decisions that undermine his own coalition."

Ben-Gvir, whose demand for a vote on the issue was denied by Netanyahu, wrote: "Mr. Prime Minister, our hostages get no humanitarian support," and Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu posted on X: "This is the tragedy of Netanyahu’s approach: a leader who could have led to a decisive victory and gone down in history as the one who crushed radical Islam, but repeatedly lets that historic opportunity slip away."

A statement from Ben-Gvir’s office added: "Any humanitarian aid entering Gaza, especially to all areas, will fuel Hamas and give it oxygen, while our hostages rot in tunnels. The Prime Minister is making a grave mistake, and he doesn't even have majority support. Hamas must be crushed, not sustained."

Likud MK Avichay Boaron also attacked the decision, writing: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. We must not give our enemy humanitarian aid. We must not hesitate."

Likud MK Moshe Saada echoed similar sentiments on X: "On one hand, we send five IDF divisions into battle to destroy the enemy, and on the other, we supply that same enemy with food and supplies so it can survive and recruit more terrorists to harm our soldiers. This is a wrong and immoral decision. Total victory means eradicating Hamas, not helping it survive."

Benny Gantz also criticized Netanyahu. After the PM's office stated the decision was made “based on IDF recommendations,” Gantz wrote: "Once again, the Prime Minister hides behind the IDF and the security establishment in decisions that destabilize his coalition. When it’s inconvenient - ‘The IDF recommended it.’ When it’s successful - ‘I instructed it.’"

He added: "This is what panicked leadership looks like, one that can’t stand behind its own decisions. This is national irresponsibility during wartime."

The Prime Minister’s Office stated: "Based on IDF recommendations, and due to the operational need to expand intense fighting to defeat Hamas, Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza to prevent a humanitarian crisis.

Such a crisis would endanger the continuation of Operation Swords of Gideon. Israel will work to prevent Hamas from taking control of the aid distribution to ensure it does not reach terrorists."