Smotrich: Gaza War Is Extremely Tough; Guterres ‘Waited for Israel’s Defeat
According to webangah News Agency, Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s far-right finance minister, has reiterated his opposition to humanitarian aid entering Gaza amid the ongoing war. He stated that providing assistance to 2.5 million people in the besieged enclave is “extremely arduous.”
Smotrich claimed, “Anyone affiliated with Hamas is doomed to destruction, and we must continue dismantling its military and civilian capabilities.” He criticized any potential prisoner exchange deal with Hamas as a mistake that would allow the group to regroup. Addressing Israeli military leaders, he questioned how hamas has survived after 18 months of conflict and urged Prime Minister Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer to maintain military pressure without concessions.
The minister asserted that imposing martial law in Gaza would cost hundreds of millions of dollars while achieving little. While acknowledging international and domestic economic pressures-including strain on reservists-he insisted Israel could sustain combat operations for years in Gaza as it has done in the West Bank.
Smotrich warned against holding elections during wartime, stating history would not forgive those who risked Israel’s defeat by destabilizing the right-wing government. He distanced himself from politicians like Avigdor Lieberman who disclose state secrets.
The minister also targeted the Palestinian Authority (PA), calling it a weaker adversary than Hamas but accusing it of collaborating with South Africa to prosecute Israel internationally. He demanded cabinet-level recognition of the PA as an enemy entity due to its political threat.
In inflammatory remarks about UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Smotrich accused him of antisemitism: “The Jew-hating Guterres eagerly awaits Israel’s defeat and Hamas’ victory.”
