Anger in the cabinet over violations in Gaza: "We must not allow even a kite"

In about three weeks, Hamas is supposed to begin handing over its weapons in accordance with the schedule presented by Jared Kushner, and against the backdrop of the Israeli ultimatum to stop violations by the organization, sharp criticism was heard yesterday in the cabinet regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip and the manner of responding to the violations.

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir called for a significant hardening of the response:

"For every incendiary kite, we should be counting the bodies of terrorists. Enough with proportional responses, both in Gaza and against the PA, which should be erased."

Minister Orit Strock called for changing the attitude toward the Peace Council and preventing the entry of additional forces into the Strip. "We need to step back from the Peace Council, and no force should enter Gaza," she said. In addition, Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich wondered during the discussion: "How can it be that there is Hamas in Gaza?".

Minister of Defense Israel Katz clarified that from his perspective, there is no room for containment of violations by Hamas:

"There is no containment in Gaza. We must not allow them even a kite or a balloon."

Against the backdrop of the criticism from the ministers, the Peace Council also addressed the violations by Hamas and clarified that it had conveyed a message that any terrorist activity originating from the Strip must stop, including the launching of kites.

These remarks come against the backdrop of the schedule presented by Jared Kushner, according to which in about three weeks Hamas is supposed to begin handing over its weapons, and simultaneously with the Israeli ultimatum to stop violations by the organization. In the political and security establishment, they are now monitoring the conduct of the terrorist organization on the ground, ahead of the next major test of the agreements in the Strip.