The expanded political-security cabinet approved last night (Saturday) the war cabinet's decision to introduce a limited amount of fuel into the Gaza Strip. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich and Minister of Transportation Miri Regev opposed the proposal, and Minister Gideon Sa'ar abstained.
In addition, the proposal of Minister Israel Katz was accepted according to which any future decision regarding the introduction of fuel into the Gaza Strip will be brought to the approval of the expanded cabinet, and must include the issue of the release of the abductees.
As a reminder, last Friday it was reported that the Egyptian authorities brought 10 fuel trucks carrying 150,000 liters of diesel into the Gaza Strip. A political source said that the War Cabinet unanimously approved a joint recommendation by the IDF and the Shin Bet to comply with the US request and allow the entry of two diesel tankers a day for the needs of the UN to support water and sewer infrastructure. According to them, this action allows Israel to continue the maneuver necessary to eliminate Hamas.
It was also stated that the tankers will pass through the Rafah crossing, with the help of the UN, to the civilian population in the southern Gaza Strip - provided that it does not reach Hamas. According to the sources, this action is intended, among other things, to minimally support water, sewage and sanitation systems, in order to prevent the outbreak of epidemics that could spread in the entire area, harm both the residents of the Gaza Strip and our forces and spread even into Israel.
The decision provoked widespread criticism among the ministers of the expanded cabinet, who according to them were not informed before the decision was made. "Once again policy decisions are made in the war cabinet which leads Israel to a wrong concept. As long as our abductees are not even visited by the Red Cross, there is no sense in giving the enemy 'humanitarian gifts'" said Ben-Gvir. "This is a 'finger in the eye' to the IDF soldiers, the bereaved families and the families of the missing and the abducted. I remind that policy change must be in the extended cabinet and not in chambers, but by someone who is not authorized to make decisions alone. I will demand from the Prime Minister to bring decisions related to policy to an extended cabinet."
Smotrich also said that "bringing fuel into Gaza is a grave mistake and goes against the cabinet's decision. It conveys weakness, it gives oxygen to the enemy, and it allows Sinwar to sit in an air-conditioned bunker comfortably, watch the news, and continue to manipulate Israeli society and the families of the abductees. And this instead of beating him, his people and his accomplices the leaders of Hamas abroad without mercy, until the last survivors there beg us to agree to accept back our abductees unconditionally. This is the only way to destroy Hamas, return the captives and restore security to the citizens of Israel."