Smotrich, Ben-Gvir praise renewed strikes on Gaza as 'moral', 'powerful' step

"Israeli" politicians have voiced strong reactions following the "Israeli" Air Force's (IAF) renewed strikes on Gaza late Monday night, marking an escalation in the ongoing aggression.

The strikes have reignited debate within "Israeli" political circles regarding the best approach to the crisis.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich expressed his support for the military actions, emphasizing that "Israel's" goal remains the complete dismantling of Hamas.

In a tweet, Smotrich stated, "Whoever does to us what Hamas did on Simchat Torah will be destroyed." He described the renewed military strikes as a crucial step in the effort to destroy Hamas, secure the return of all captives, and eliminate the threat posed by Gaza.

כפי שהבטחנו והסברנו, צה״ל חזר הלילה למתקפה עצימה על עזה במטרה להשמיד את חמאס, להשיב את החטופים כולם ולהסיר את האיום שנשקף מרצועת עזה אל עבר אזרחי ישראל ובכך להשיב את הביטחון לתושבי עוטף ישראל ואזרחי ישראל כולם לאורך זמן.

זהו מהלך מדורג שבנינו ותכננו בשבועות האחרונים מאז כניסת…

— בצלאל סמוטריץ' (@bezalelsm) March 18, 2025

Smotrich further noted that the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) had been preparing for this moment in recent weeks, following the appointment of the new chief of staff.

"It’s a gradual process, and with God’s help, it will look completely different from what has been done so far," Smotrich added, reaffirming "Israel's" commitment to achieving its objectives in Gaza.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, head of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, also strongly supported the military action. He referred to the renewed fighting as a necessary and "moral" step to destroy Hamas and return "Israeli" captives.

מברכים על חזרת מדינת ישראל בהובלת ראש הממשלה בנימין נתניהו ללחימה עצימה.

כפי שאמרנו בחודשים האחרונים, כשפרשנו: ישראל חייבת לחזור ללחימה בעזה: זה הצעד הנכון, המוסרי, הערכי והמוצדק ביותר, זאת על מנת להשמיד את אירגון הטרור חמאס ולהחזיר את חטופינו - אסור להשלים עם קיום ארגון החמאס…

— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) March 18, 2025

Ben-Gvir has been a vocal critic of any peace deal with Hamas that involves halting military operations. In January, he and his party left the coalition in protest of an agreement involving a ceasefire, accusing it of undermining the IOF's efforts and surrendering to Hamas.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch echoed Ben-Gvir’s sentiments, stating bluntly, "Release the hostages or hellfire. Now."

However, not all political figures agreed with the course of action. Yair Golan, leader of the opposition Democratic Camp party, criticized the renewed military strikes as a diversionary tactic by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Golan argued that Netanyahu’s focus on military action was an attempt to shift attention away from the recent dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.

"The soldiers on the front lines and the hostages in Gaza are just cards in his game of survival," Golan claimed. "Netanyahu is using the lives of our citizens and soldiers because he fears public protest over the Shin Bet chief’s dismissal."