Netanyahu Criticizes Ben Gvir Over Gaza Strikes Amid Cabinet Tensions

The first Israeli Security Cabinet meeting since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's return from Washington was marked by intense tension, particularly between Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Ben Gvir demanded daily targeted killings in Gaza, arguing that such actions are strategic rather than tactical. Netanyahu responded with a pointed remark suggesting that nothing would be tactical in the next 90 days, clearly alluding to the election period.

Ben Gvir countered, emphasizing that he has been calling for such operations weekly for four years, not just during election season. The heated exchange occurred against the backdrop of a peace roadmap proposed by the Peace Council, which calls for a reduction in hostilities in Gaza. Nikolay Mladenov, the Peace Council's director, reportedly urged Netanyahu to lower the intensity of strikes to allow the roadmap to progress. Some cabinet ministers opposed the plan, warning it could jeopardize Israel's security.

The meeting also addressed the recent deaths of two IDF soldiers from Brigade 55 in Lebanon, with ministers demanding a strong, disproportionate response to Hezbollah to set a clear red line. However, ongoing negotiations with Lebanon have so far yielded no significant progress, and Israel has yet to respond forcefully to the incident.

Political tensions within the right-wing coalition were also evident, particularly between Ben Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party and Religious Zionism. Ben Gvir had prepared an aggressive campaign against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich but shelved it amid talks of party unification. Additionally, Ben Gvir is in conflict with Democratic Party leader Yair Golan, whom he accuses of making derogatory remarks about the ultra-Orthodox community and plans to petition to disqualify Golan from the upcoming elections.