Rosalind Evans
Controversial Remarks by Finance Minister
In a provocative statement at the Katif Conference for National Responsibility, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claimed that starving the 2 million residents of Gaza could be “just and moral” until the return of Israeli hostages. He emphasized that global constraints prevent such actions, stating, “No one in the world would let us starve and thirst two million citizens, even though it may be just and moral until they return our hostages.”
Smotrich’s Proposal for Aid Control
Smotrich proposed that Israel should take control of aid distribution within Gaza, accusing Hamas of managing these channels. “You cannot fight Hamas with one hand and give them aid with the other. It’s his (Hamas’) money, it’s his fuel, it’s his civilian control of the Gaza Strip. It just doesn’t work,” he asserted. According to him, the ongoing conflict would have concluded, and hostages would have been returned if Israel had controlled the aid distribution.
International and Domestic Reactions
Smotrich’s comments have drawn sharp criticism from international aid groups and organizations. The United Nations, citing independent experts, reported that famine has spread throughout Gaza, accusing Israel of conducting an “intentional and targeted starvation campaign,” which they described as a “form of genocidal violence.”
Legal and Political Repercussions
The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor is pursuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges including “starvation as a weapon of war.” Netanyahu has dismissed these allegations as baseless, claiming, “If Palestinians in Gaza aren’t getting enough food, it’s not because Israel is blocking it; it’s because Hamas is stealing it.”
The Ongoing Conflict
The conflict, which began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, resulting in around 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 250 hostages, continues with significant casualties on both sides. Palestinian authorities report over 39,000 deaths in Gaza due to the war. Israel maintains its stance that the war will not end until all hostages are freed and Hamas is eliminated.
Smotrich’s Vision for Gaza
In his speech, Smotrich advocated for minimal aid to Gaza, focusing solely on essential needs such as food, medicine, and basic sanitation. “No one talks about (Israeli) military rule (of Gaza) now. There is no need to unclog sewers, no need for education, no need for welfare. Gaza, in the next two years, is (going to be) a war zone. You need food, some medicine, and a minimum amount of sanitation – water and sewage. That’s it,” he concluded.
The international community continues to grapple with the ethical and humanitarian implications of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As statements like those from Smotrich surface, the debate over the morality and legality of wartime actions intensifies. The resolution of this conflict remains uncertain, with both sides entrenched in their positions and the global community watching closely.
