During a demonstration of bereaved families on behalf of the "Hope Forum," Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, together with other Knesset ministers, demanded that PM Netanyahu move ahead with the planned Rafah operation instead of giving in to international pressure.
During the demonstration outside the Prime Minister's office, Smotrich was recorded shouting: "We will not let you extinguish the spirit of heroism. No one will let you extinguish the heroic war effort!"
"We all want to bring the hostages home - but not by surrendering as we have done for decades. We want Rafah today! We will not allow you to surrender," he added, as demonstrators joined his call and shouted: "Now, now", referring to the stalled operation.