Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to resume humanitarian aid to Gaza sparked fierce backlash from right-wing ministers and political allies on Sunday. The move, made under mounting U.S. pressure, came without a cabinet vote and reversed months of Israeli pledges not to restart aid without safeguards to prevent Hamas from intercepting supplies.
Military officials warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis, prompting Netanyahu to approve the resumption of basic aid, despite internal opposition.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir condemned the decision, calling it a “grave mistake” and warning it gives Hamas “oxygen” while hostages remain in captivity. Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu echoed the criticism, saying Netanyahu is “missing a historic opportunity” to defeat radical Islam.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who previously declared humanitarian aid to Hamas a “red line,” has yet to respond. However, fellow Likud MKs Avichai Boaron and Moshe Saada decried the decision as both “insane” and “immoral.”
Centrist leader Benny Gantz accused Netanyahu of deflecting responsibility, saying he hides behind military advice when politically convenient.
Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot demanded Israel allow “massive and unhampered” aid to Gaza, while the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) prepares to take over aid distribution later this month. GHF plans to securely distribute aid via limited southern Gaza zones protected by U.S. contractors, though existing NGOs have criticized the plan for potentially displacing civilians and undermining humanitarian norms.
Despite the political storm, GHF’s director welcomed Israel’s interim aid decision, calling it “an important step” toward a transparent aid system.
The aid resumption has reignited tensions within Netanyahu’s fragile coalition, with protests, threats of resignation, and calls to block aid convoys surfacing from both political figures and right-wing activist groups.
