A heated debate ensued during the security cabinet meeting on Tuesday on the topic of the distribution of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Defense Minister Israel Katz told the ministers that aid would not enter in the same methods as previously.
"It strengthens Hamas. Aid will be distributed by IDF soldiers or American companies".
IDF Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir quickly responded that "IDF soldiers will not distribute humanitarian aid, and we will not starve the Gaza Strip."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich asked, "What do you mean? You follow orders. The IDF doesn’t choose its own missions. If you're saying you're incapable of appointing someone, then you can be replaced".
Katz also said with regard to the aid, "There is no need for aid to Gaza because there is enough supply in Gaza. In the future, I oppose any aid that will be linked to Hamas or that will reach Hamas, assist them, and be used as a weapon to control the population and build terror infrastructure against IDF soldiers."
During the cabinet meeting, ministers such as Elkin, Strock, Eli Cohen, Yariv Levin, and Gila Gamliel were surprised by the plans presented by the IDF Chief of Staff and COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories).
The ministers criticized the humanitarian aid distribution plans, stating: "The principle must be that Hamas cannot get its hands on the aid being distributed. It must only be distributed in areas under full IDF control, where it is possible to prevent the aid from reaching Hamas."
"The idea is for the civilian population to move to those areas under full IDF control to receive the aid. Aid must not reach areas that don’t meet this definition."
Some ministers argued that any other approach would only strengthen Hamas instead of dismantling its civilian governance, and said that the presentation and plans presented "contradict this demand, which has been repeatedly stated in discussions over the past few months."
The IDF Chief of Staff and COGAT responded to the ministers: "We won’t be ready in time to distribute the aid in this manner." The Defense Minister supported their position.During the discussion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not comment on the matter and only concluded by saying: "The military leadership has until Thursday to present a plan that meets the demands raised at the table."
A statement issued by a diplomatic source said on Wednesday that "No decision has been made regarding the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza."
"The political echelon has instructed the defense establishment and the IDF to deny Hamas control over any humanitarian aid in any situation that may develop," the statement added.
Smotrich slams Bar
During the Tuesday discussion, Smotrich, who stated he would not participate in discussion and meeting with the head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) Ronen Bar due to his refusal to leave his post after the government's decision to remove him, told Bar when he interjected in one of the discussions during the cabinet meeting: “I don’t understand — is there no speaking order here? What is this outburst? There’s a set agenda.
"He’ll have time to speak under the protection of the High Court — people can’t just interrupt whenever they feel like it.” Smotrich also exited the meeting during Bar's remarks.
On Wednesday, Smotrich addressed the debate at the cabinet meeting, noting, "Managing the civilian effort in Gaza in a way that does not reach Hamas was and remains the most critical component for defeating Hamas and achieving victory in the war."
The minister added his complaints were not directed at Zamir but rather at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "for not enforcing the implementation of the government’s policy on the IDF."
"Introducing logistical aid that reaches Hamas is a step I will not be part of. Period," Smotrich said.
Opposition head Yair Lapid referred to the heated discussion that occurred during the meeting in a Wendesday post on X/Twitter. "It's time to face the facts: this government is incapable of winning the war," Lapid wrote, adding that government ministers were now attacking a chief of staff of their choosing, creating conflicts in the cabinet.
אז עכשיו שרי הממשלה תוקפים גם את "הרמטכ"ל ההתקפי" החדש שהם בחרו, מייצרים עימותים בקבינט ורצים לספר לחבר'ה. הגיע הזמן להכיר בעובדות: הממשלה הזו לא מסוגלת לנצח במלחמה. היה להם שנה וחצי, קיבלו גב מלא מהאמריקאים, גב מלא מהאופוזיציה, והתירוצים נגמרו. אין ביידן, אין הרצי, אין גלנט -…
— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) April 23, 2025