A stormy meeting of Israel’s security cabinet on Thursday featured sharp criticism from ministers directed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Channel 12 reported. The discussions focused primarily on the proposed Gaza agreement put forward by the Board of Peace and Israel’s response to developments in Lebanon.
During the discussion on Gaza, Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter criticized the proposed agreement, saying, “This document contains no reference to destroying Hamas’ military capabilities.” Netanyahu responded that the Board of Peace is demanding an Israeli withdrawal, but stressed: “I do not agree to a withdrawal, nor to stopping targeted operations if they endanger our lives.” National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir replied, “It’s not enough only if they endanger us. Much more is needed.”
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also clashed with Minister Ze’ev Elkin after Smotrich said he had not understood the implications of the agreement during a previous cabinet meeting. Elkin responded, “What are you pretending for? It was in the material.” National Security Council chief Shmuel Ben Ezra said Israel is facing “continuous, daily and hourly pressure” to agree to a 14-day pause that would allow Hamas to lay down its weapons. Minister Orit Strock warned, “We are establishing a renewed Palestinian Authority in Gaza.”
Despite Netanyahu’s public position, Channel 12 reported that Israeli defense officials have in recent days discussed limited IDF withdrawals from positions inside Gaza, with multinational forces potentially replacing Israeli troops in those areas.
The northern front also sparked a heated exchange. Ben Gvir asked Zamir whether Israel’s response in Lebanon was sufficient. Zamir replied, “It is sufficient, and this is what the prime minister approved. We have additional targets if the political echelon approves.” Ben Gvir responded that if the targets consist only of “another warehouse or another command center,” then “it’s a waste of time,” arguing that such responses do not change the situation.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
