DaysofPal – Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has renewed his call for an end to humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip, describing current relief efforts as “an absolute disgrace” and insisting that halting all assistance is the only path to “victory.”
In a statement posted on X, Ben-Gvir said, “What is needed in Gaza is not a temporary halt to ‘humanitarian’ aid, but a complete stop.” He added, “When I warned repeatedly and was unfortunately the only one who voted a month and a half ago against bringing aid, I was certain it would grant Hamas a lifeline.”
The minister, known for his incendiary rhetoric, continued, “Back then, some mocked me and claimed that ‘the aid will only enter the northern sector for 10 days,’ and today it is clear what was already known: Hamas controls the quantities of food and goods, which contributes to its survival.”
Ben-Gvir concluded by vowing to bring the issue to another cabinet vote, stating, “Halting aid will expedite reaching victory. I will demand that the prime minister bring the issue of introducing aid to the sector to a vote again in the next cabinet session.”
The devastating humanitarian situation in Gaza, where more than eight months of Israeli bombardment and blockade have left a large portion of the population in dire need of food, water, and medicine, has drawn increasing international attention.
On Wednesday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed Defense Minister Yisrael Katz and the army to draw up a plan within 48 hours to counter what he claimed was Hamas’ control over aid entering the besieged territory.
However, these claims have been firmly rejected by Palestinian tribal leaders. On Thursday, the Supreme Council for Tribal Affairs in Gaza issued a statement condemning what it called Tel Aviv’s “malicious allegations.”
“The clans of Gaza strongly refute the occupation’s malicious allegations aimed at distorting the facts and spreading chaos in the Strip,” the statement read.
The council emphasized that all humanitarian aid is “fully secured and under its direct supervision and is distributed exclusively through international bodies.”
It further called on the UN Security Council to “send an immediate and urgent delegation to inspect the distribution of aid on the ground and verify its proper and transparent conduct.”
“The aid that has entered the Gaza Strip is a drop in the ocean of the needs of the afflicted children, women, elderly, sick, and all our people,” the council added.
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