Smotrich: Israel cannot be kept on war footing forever
A clear divide has emerged within the government on whether to expand operations against Hamas immediately, or wait until all negotiation options have been exhausted.
Bezalel Smotrich is reportedly pressuring Prime Minister Netanyahu to launch a full scale operation to finish off Hamas in the Gaza Strip, saying that the time for decisive action is now, according to a report today (Tuesday) by Ynet.
Smotrich, who met with the Prime Minister multiple times before the cabinet meeting this evening, said that Israel cannot be kept on a war footing forever and that reservists are being increasingly exhausted by the repeated rounds of operations with their partial military results and wear and tear.
Army Radio reporter Doron Kadosh noted that only about 60% of the sole reserve brigade in Gaza have presented for duty due to exhaustion and the need to provide for their families and themselves in civilian life. This problem with force retention is hampering plans for the renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz, meanwhile, are insisting that all possible avenues for negotiation be tried first, so they can say to the world, the Israeli public, and President Trump that Hamas left them no choice but to launch operations.