‘We need to move forward’: Netanyahu, Zamir clash over Gaza aid delivery during cabinet meeting
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Diverging Reports Breakdown
Cabinet approves humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza after hours-long overnight meeting
The cabinet approved the establishment of humanitarian aid distribution zones in Gaza that would separate the civilian population from Hamas. Israel rejected the conditions attached by the terror group to the latest proposal. Israel’s political leadership insists on maintaining a 1,250-meter security perimeter along the entire Gaza border and a southern withdrawal line up to the Morag Corridor. Defense officials plan to move the entire Palestinian population south of that line into an area that will remain under Israeli control.
An Israeli delegation will be leaving for Doha to join negotiations for a ceasefire in the fighting in Gaza, although Israel rejected the conditions attached by the terror group to the latest proposal.
3 View gallery Humanitarian aid distributed in Gaza ( Social media )
During the meeting, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich voted against the decision, claiming there should be no aid at all delivered into Gaza until Hamas is defeated.
The ministers clashed in vocal arguments with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, including accusations by Smotrich that the military had not carried out the government’s orders. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also confronted Zamri over the pace of implementing humanitarian zones.
According to Israeli sources, one of the most contentious points is Hamas’ recent demand that the United Nations and its agencies oversee humanitarian aid, effectively removing GHF from Gaza. Both Jerusalem and Washington firmly reject this condition. “This foundation is precisely what brought Hamas to agree to a deal,” said an Israeli official Saturday. “It’s no surprise they’re demanding its removal—but that won’t happen.”
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play : https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store : https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
Another point of contention expected to dominate talks is where IDF troops would be positioned after they pull out of some areas in the Strip.
3 View gallery IDF armored Corps positioned in Gaza ( Photo: IDF )
Israel’s political leadership insists on maintaining a 1,250-meter security perimeter along the entire Gaza border and a southern withdrawal line up to the Morag Corridor.
Defense officials plan to move the entire Palestinian population south of that line into an area that will remain under Israeli control. Netanyahu has instructed IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to prepare a detailed evacuation plan to be presented upon Netanyahu’s return from Washington.
Netanyahu clashes with IDF chief over relocating Gaza civilians
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir expressed skepticism over the plan to move Gazan civilians to the southern part of the Strip to allow the IDF to operate in the North. Zamir asked, “Do you want a military government [in Gaza]? Who will govern 2 million people?” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly responded angrily, ‘The IDF and the State of Israel. I want to move [Gazans] to a large civilian area. [I’m] not willing to leave Hamas behind in any form’ Netanyahu reportedly said the only alternative to the evacuation plan was to seize the entire Gaza Strip, including areas not taken before.
Zamir expressed doubts concerning the viability of the IDF maintaining control over such a large population that could turn violent.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
During a closed meeting on Thursday involving Israel’s security cabinet, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir expressed skepticism over the plan to move Gazan civilians to the southern part of the Strip to allow the IDF to operate in the North.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized Zamir for a so-called “stalemate” in Gaza and for public remarks the IDF chief made last week that the continuation of the war could endanger the hostages.
Zamir responded, “You always say there is a stalemate in Gaza. There is no stalemate in the Strip — we’re doing exactly what you asked us to do. I recommend that people be careful about what they say about us, as we are supposedly not doing what we are supposed to do. You shouldn’t need to be reminded that soldiers are dying in battle.”
Smotrich supported Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to move Gaza’s population to the south so the IDF can take control of the northern part of the Strip.
Smotrich said the IDF could “siege the North [of Gaza]. That way can defeat Hamas in no time.”
Netanyahu told Zamir to “work on an evacuation plan of the population to the south of the Strip.”
Zamir criticized the plan and asked, “Do you want a military government [in Gaza]? Who will govern 2 million people?”
According to sources, Netanyahu responded angrily, “The IDF and the State of Israel. I don’t want a military government, but I want to move [Gazans] to a large civilian area. [I’m] not willing to leave Hamas behind in any form.”
Netanyahu said the only alternative to the evacuation plan was to seize the entire Gaza Strip, including areas not taken before, and risk the lives of the remaining hostages.
“The alternative to evacuation to the south is to invade the whole Strip and capture it, which means killing the hostages, which I don’t want and am not prepared to do,” Netanyahu reportedly said.
Zamir expressed doubts concerning the viability of the IDF maintaining control over such a large population hostile to them.
Netanyahu reportedly dismissed Zamir’s concern, saying, “Prepare an evacuation plan — I want to see it when I return from Washington.”
The premier is traveling to the US to meet with President Donald Trump in the coming week.
Netanyahu, IDF chief clash in heated cabinet meeting over Gaza war strategy
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir clashed during a meeting of Israel’s security cabinet. The closed-door session focused on contingency plans if the current ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas failed. Ministers criticized the military for not preventing humanitarian aid from reaching Hamas. Smotrich urged a siege on northern Gaza to collapse Hamas’s rule. Zamir opposed the move, warning that imposing military rule over two million Palestinians could spiral out of control. The confrontations marked the latest in a series of fiery exchanges between Israel’s political and military leadership as the war in Gaza enters a critical stage.
The closed-door session, which focused on contingency plans if the current ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas failed, quickly escalated when ministers criticized the military for not preventing humanitarian aid from reaching Hamas. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir accused the IDF of failing to deliver results.
Zamir pushed back sharply. “Stop saying we’re dragging our feet,” he said, according to officials familiar with the discussion. “There is no foot-dragging in Gaza. We are carrying out exactly what you assigned us. I suggest you watch your words — our soldiers are falling in battle.”
Netanyahu responded by directing Zamir to prepare a broad plan to evacuate civilians in Gaza to the southern part of the territory. Smotrich urged a siege on northern Gaza to collapse Hamas’s rule. Zamir opposed the move, warning that imposing military rule over two million Palestinians could spiral out of control.
“I don’t want a military administration,” Netanyahu reportedly said, “but I do want to move them into a large civilian area. I will not allow Hamas to remain in any form in Gaza. The alternative is to overrun the Strip and kill the hostages — and I won’t allow that either.”
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play : https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store : https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
Zamir replied that no such evacuation plan had been agreed upon and warned that trying to manage a displaced and starving population could result in chaos and endanger IDF forces.
Later in the meeting, tensions flared again as Defense Ministry officials accused Smotrich’s office of withholding emergency funds needed to prepare for a possible conflict with Iran. Smotrich fired back at Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram, saying, “Stop taking jabs at me. I know you’re leaking against me.”
The confrontations marked the latest in a series of fiery exchanges between Israel’s political and military leadership as the war in Gaza enters a critical stage. Earlier this week, Zamir warned that prolonging the war could put hostages at further risk, prompting additional criticism from far-right ministers who accused the army of undermining civilian decision-makers.