Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Saturday he has lost confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the war in the Gaza Strip, denouncing the government's newly approved "gradual plan" to occupy the enclave. Smotrich, a far-right minister who has long pushed for the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and Israeli settlement in the territory, said in a video on X that during Friday's Security Cabinet meeting he "lost faith that the Prime Minister can and wants to lead the Israeli army to decisive victory." The plan, backed by Netanyahu and approved by the cabinet, calls for a phased occupation of Gaza and moving Palestinians from the north to the south. The proposal has faced opposition from Israeli security officials, who warn it could endanger the lives of hostages held by Hamas as well as Israeli soldiers. "Netanyahu and the cabinet decided to carry out a military operation whose goal is not victory, but to pressure Hamas for a partial prisoner deal," Smotrich said, urging the prime minister to reconvene the cabinet and commit to "no stopping halfway, no partial deal — this time we go for a decisive, clear step toward victory." Smotrich has repeatedly opposed limiting Israel's campaign in Gaza to airstrikes, advocating instead for an all-out ground offensive and permanent settlement. Israel's war on Gaza has killed more than 61,300 people since October 2023, according to health officials in the enclave, and has left the territory on the brink of famine. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its military campaign. — Agencies
