⚡️🚨 NEW - Channel 12 reports a high-…
⚡️🚨 NEW - Channel 12 reports a high-level discussion on Thursday between Netanyahu, the Army Chief of Staff, top security officials, and coalition leaders erupted in shouting over how to seize Gaza City. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir: “We instructed you to carry out a short operation. Besiege them, whoever doesn’t evacuate—don’t give them water or electricity, let them die of hunger or surrender. That is what we want, and you are capable.”
➤ Zamir warned that forcibly displacing 1 million people would take time: “We do not know how long it will take us to evacuate the population. We cannot say what the degree of cooperation will be, or what means we will need to use. It is difficult to state precise timelines.”
➤ Smotrich shot back: “That is not what the political echelon instructed, you don’t want to win.” Zamir shouted: “You don’t understand anything. You don’t know what a brigade is, what a battalion is. It takes time.”
➤ National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir backed Smotrich, mocking the army’s hesitation: “What, are you afraid of the Military Advocate General?” — referring to the body responsible for judging the legality of military actions.
➤ Netanyahu reportedly did not intervene, but he and Minister Ron Dermer said Trump’s backing comes with a deadline: “President Trump is giving us full backing, but we do not have unlimited time. A half-year operation is not realistic. Trump wants quick action and a decisive outcome, he does not want the war dragged on.” (DropSite)