The Israeli government is facing internal turmoil as the limited war cabinet is expected to meet tonight to discuss the issue of “the day after” in the Gaza Strip. This move has sparked outrage among the right wing of the coalition, with members of Likud expressing their frustration.
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir criticized the decision, stating that the concept cabinet was only authorized to manage the maneuver, and that discussions for the day after should be conducted in the political and security cabinet, not in the concept cabinet with Defense Minister Benny Gantz.
In response to the backlash, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s entourage stated that he has made it clear that neither Hamas nor Fatahstan will be in the Gaza Strip “the day after” the current situation. They also assured that the discussion on the matter will be brought to the decision of the political-security cabinet.
The chairman of religious Zionism, Minister of Finance Smotrich, has also taken a protest step by deciding to convene a meeting of his faction at the same time as the cabinet discussion at Kirya in Tel Aviv.
The political and security cabinet is scheduled to meet on Tuesday at 19:00 in Kirya in Tel Aviv, where the issue of the Gaza Strip is expected to be on the agenda. It remains to be seen how the government will navigate these tensions and if a resolution can be reached.