Screaming and Knocking on the Table.. Tense Cabinet Session on "Aid to Gaza"

SadaNews: In a lengthy session that lasted over five hours early Sunday, the Israeli political and security cabinet "the Cabinet" held a meeting filled with tense atmospheres and heated discussions, which included shouting matches between some members.

The discussions focused on a plan to create designated areas within the Gaza Strip to provide humanitarian aid, aiming to separate civilian populations from Hamas elements. Despite sharp disagreements among ministers regarding the details and implementation mechanism of the plan, the council voted at the end of the session in favor of proceeding with it.

Notable clashes occurred between Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and the Chief of Staff of the Israeli army, General Eyal Zamir, where their discussion escalated into a loud altercation that prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intervene angrily, banging the table and demanding an end to personal exchanges and a shift towards a professional and practical discussion.

According to what was reported by the "Yedioth Ahronoth" newspaper, Minister Smotrich accused the military of not implementing the political leadership's directives regarding the execution of the "humanitarian separation" plan, at a time when the government seeks to find a practical formula ensuring the separation of civilians in the sector from Hamas elements.

There was also another debate between Netanyahu and the Chief of Staff regarding the pace of implementing the plan, as the military expressed reservations about the proposed timeline due to what it described as logistical and financial challenges, while a number of ministers insisted that the necessary funding is available and there is no justification for any delay.

In the final vote, the majority of ministers supported the establishment of aid delivery areas, while Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich opposed the introduction of humanitarian aid into the northern sector at this stage, considering that this aid is exploited by Hamas and should be suspended until safe areas are established to ensure it reaches civilians only.