Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday addressed criticism from right-wing ministers over his decision to resume humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, defending the move as essential to the broader war effort.
“From the beginning of the war, we said that in order to complete the victory, there was one necessary condition—we must not reach a state of starvation in Gaza. They will not support us if we reach that point,” Netanyahu said, referring to global opinion.
“We will take control of all the territories of the Gaza Strip. There is tremendous, intense fighting there. Our fighters are doing a great job there, including this morning—I can’t go into details,” he added.
The prime minister’s comments come amid fierce backlash from members of his coalition, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who argue the aid undermines Israel’s military campaign against Hamas.
Despite past comments vowing to prevent aid from entering Gaza until the hostages are free, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich expressed support for the move on Monday.
“No aid will reach Hamas, period,” he said at a press conference “Anyone saying differently is lying,” Channel 12 News quoted the minister as saying.
“The population will move to the southern part of the Gaza Strip and from there to third countries. The IDF is operating with five divisions, and the method is different from what it was before. There is a significant change from what has been done until now—we are destroying everything that remains in the Strip, and this, God willing, will lead to the destruction of Hamas and the return of the hostages,” Smotrich said.
The supplies now being transported into the Strip are “the bare minimum; for bakeries distributing pitas, and for individuals and public kitchens providing a daily cooked meal. Civilians in Gaza will receive a pita and a plate of food, and that’s it,” he said. “What we’re seeing are people standing in line for hours just to get a plate of soup or stew. This will not reach Hamas.”
The aid “will allow civilians to eat, it will enable our friends around the world to continue providing us with international protection against the U.N. Security Council and The Hague and it will allow us, with God’s help, to keep fighting until victory, Smotrich continued.
“All attempts to dodge responsibility are childish. I understand the anger and the frustration. Until the last hostage returns, we shouldn’t even allow water in, but the reality is different. I am committed to winning. For a year and a half now, we’ve been striking Hamas relentlessly,” the Religious Zionism Party said.
Smotrich called on the prime minister to clarify the situation to the Israeli public and IDF soldiers, who are being misled by “irresponsible rumors and leaks.”
Shortly thereafter, Netanyahu commended Smotrich on X for “speaking the truth and proving leadership.
“Together we will defeat Hamas,” the prime minister said.
“True leadership is demonstrated through navigating complex realities, not empty slogans,” Religious Zionism MK Ohad Tal told JNS on Monday. “While we strive to achieve victory over Hamas and to release the hostages, the humanitarian aid we provide is necessary to preserve our international support.”
“We are working hard to ensure that the aid doesn’t reach Hamas. Those who criticize this approach are engaging in politics and campaigning on the backs of our IDF soldiers who are working tirelessly to secure ultimate victory,” he added.