Itamar Ben-Gvir (Credit: Getty Images)
Ben-Gvir claims Gaza aid is "oxygen for Hamas"
'Israeli' National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has publicly condemned the continued delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, calling it a “disgrace” and demanding an immediate and complete end to the assistance, not just a temporary pause.
“What is needed in Gaza is not a temporary halt of the ‘humanitarian’ aid, but a complete cessation of it,” Ben-Gvir wrote in a post on X, on Thursday. He claimed the aid is sustaining Hamas and argued that he had been the sole voice of opposition in the cabinet when aid was approved over a month ago.
הסיוע ההומניטרי שנכנס לעזה כרגע הוא ביזיון מוחלט. מה שנדרש בעזה הוא לא עצירה זמנית של הסיוע ה"הומניטרי", אלא עצירה מוחלטת שלו.
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) June 26, 2025
כשהזהרתי והתרעתי, והיחיד לצערי שהצביע לפני חודש וחצי נגד הכנסת הסיוע שהיה ברור לי כי הוא יתן חמצן לחמאס. היה מי שלעג לי וטען ש"הסיוע יכנס לצפון הרצועה… pic.twitter.com/lDOncD6rSV
“There were those who mocked me and claimed that ‘the aid entering the northern Strip would only be for 10 days,’” Ben-Gvir continued. “And now it is becoming clear what was known in advance: Hamas is taking control of the quantities of food and goods, which contribute to its survival.”
He vowed to demand a re-vote on the issue at the next 'Israeli' cabinet meeting, stating that “stopping the aid will quickly advance us toward victory.”
Read more: “Israel” halts aid deliveries to Gaza after Smotrich threatening to quit: Hebrew media
Ben-Gvir’s comments come just hours after 'Israel' reportedly halted all humanitarian deliveries into Gaza, according to Hebrew Channel 12. The move follows 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s directive to the army to develop a new plan for aid distribution, citing concerns that Hamas is commandeering supplies.
The temporary suspension will remain in place until the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) present a revised distribution strategy, Channel 12 reported, quoting an 'Israeli' official.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, another far-right figure in Netanyahu’s coalition, has also ramped up pressure on the government. He reportedly threatened to resign if the issue of aid to Hamas was not addressed decisively.
Meanwhile, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an organization supported by both the US and 'Israel', acknowledged earlier this week that it is unable to meet the necessary aid requirements for Gaza’s population, citing severe logistical and distribution challenges.
