Finance Minister Betzalel Smotich on Wednesday morning made comments threatening to bring down the government over the resumption of unsupervised humanitarian aid into Gaza and the lack of progress in the war in Gaza.

Smotrich’s comments were made in response to reports on Wednesday morning revealing angry remarks Smotrich made to IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir during a security cabinet meeting on Tuesday evening. During the meeting, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said that Israel will be forced to resume the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza within two weeks. However, he added that, unlike the past, the aid will not reach Hamas as it will be distributed by IDF soldiers or US companies.

Zamir responded by saying that “IDF soldiers will not distribute humanitarian aid and we will not starve Gaza.”

Smotrich erupted at Zamir, telling him that he is responsible for carrying out the decision of the political echelon and if he doesn’t, someone else will be brought in to do so.

Smotrich responded to the reports on Wednesday morning, clarifying that his anger was really directed at Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu rather than Zamir.

“Managing the civilian efforts in Gaza in a way that does not reach the hands of Hamas was and remains the most critical component for defeating Hamas and winning the war,” Smotrich stated. “This is a vital part of the war effort and is much more important than another IDF division and more military actions. Without internalizing and acting on this, we will not be able to win.”

Smotrich added that he has been “shouting this for a year and a half,” and at his request, the IDF received an explicit directive regarding its responsibility for overseeing humanitarian aid in Gaza before the most recent hostage deal was signed.

“I have no complaints against the IDF Chief of Staff,” he clarified. “My criticism is of the prime minister, who does not enforce the implementation of the political echelon’s policies on the IDF. The entry of logistical aid that reaches Hamas is a step that I will not be a part of. Period!” he threatened.

“The ultimate responsibility for this lies with Prime Minister Netanyahu,” he asserted.

“Launch a campaign to defeat Hamas, conquer Gaza, and establish a temporary military government until another solution is found. Return the hostages and launch the Trump plan—or this government has no right to exist.”

During the cabinet meeting on Tuesday evening, Smotrich told Zamir: “The IDF doesn’t choose its missions, and whoever doesn’t know how to handle missions can go home.”

“We have informed you that you need to prepare for this [distribution of aid]. We will decide the goal, and you’ll decide how to execute it. If you aren’t capable of doing it, we’ll find someone else who is capable.”

Ministers present at the discussion asked Smotrich to lower his tone and not to shout.

Smotrich continued, telling Zamir, “We decided that no aid will reach Hamas. I don’t care how it’s accomplished. If you don’t know how to accomplish this, then tell that to the political echelon. In a democracy, the army doesn’t choose its missions. You can’t stand here and tell us: ‘I won’t do it.’ Only the political echelon decides what the mission is.”

Smotrich also slammed Zamir for the lack of progress in the war in Gaza.

In addition, Smotrich fulfilled his promise to boycott Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, leaving the room when it was Bar’s turn to speak.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)