Israel-Hamas war, Gaza genocide

[SvennoJ]

Israeli politicians, groups slam plan to let aid into Gaza

Earlier, we reported that far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had called Netanyahu’s decision to let some aid into Gaza a “grave mistake”.

We now have more reaction to the move.

The Times of Israel is reporting that Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu, from Ben-Gvir’s party, has described the plan as a “tragedy”, saying, “Letting humanitarian aid in now directly harms the war effort to achieve victory and is another obstacle to the release of the hostages.”

Legislators from Netanyahu’s Likud party also slammed the move.

Avichai Boston called it “insanity” while Moshe Saada said letting aid in while expanding the offensive is “an incorrect and immoral decision”.

The Times noted there has been no comment from the powerful finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich. But it said the far-right minister previously told local media that he would leave the government “if a single speck of humanitarian aid enters [Gaza] and reaches Hamas”.

An Israeli group that has previously blocked aid trucks en route to Gaza has meanwhile called on its activists to resume these actions.

“Netanyahu, this is on you. Hamas can’t be pampered and given aid until the last hostage is back here,” said the right-wing Tzav 9 group.

Netanyahu acknowledges pressure from allies on aid

The Israeli PM acknowledged that his decision to resume aid to Gaza came from pressure from allies.

In a video statement posted to social media, he said Israel’s allies had voiced concern about “images of hunger” and that they told the country, “With that, we will not be able to support you.”

Netanyahu said the aid that would be let in would be “minimal”, without specifying precisely when it would resume.

He said Israel would control all of Gaza and would prevent Hamas from “looting” aid.

Egypt should manage Gaza, Israel’s Lapid says again

The Israeli opposition leader has repeated his proposal for the government in Cairo to govern the Palestinian territory.

“If the Israeli government has a better idea, we would be happy to hear it,” Yair Lapid said.

Egypt has previously firmly rejected the proposal made public by Lapid in the past months. In his remarks to the Israeli public broadcaster Kan, Lapid also said there is a need for an authority to distribute humanitarian aid in Gaza.

“We are paying a price for the government not setting a strategy in Gaza. Does anyone know what the final picture is?” Lapid said, slamming the government over its war policies in the enclave.

Egypt already had its turn 'governing' Gaza "The Gaza Strip was under Egyptian military rule from 1949 to 1956 and again from 1957 to 1967". The Palestinians need to govern Palestine, not Israel, not the US, not Egypt or anyone else.