Dispute in the security cabinet
Netanyahu clashes with Defense Minister
31.08.2024, 01:05
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Israel suspects that there are tunnels for smuggling weapons on the Gaza border with Egypt. Netanyahu will station troops there permanently. Defense Minister Galant bitterly accuses the head of government of doing so, saying that this would prevent a hostage deal.
According to consistent media reports, a heated exchange of words broke out between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Joav Galant during a meeting of the Israeli security cabinet. Galant accused Netanyahu of putting the stationing of soldiers on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt above the release of Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip, reported Channel 12 and the Ynet portal.
In the negotiations with the Islamist Hamas over a ceasefire, Israel's demand for permanent control of the so-called Philadelphia Corridor is one of the main points of contention. Israel runs under the approximately 14-kilometer-long corridor behind several Hamas tunnels. Netanyahu insists on controlling the corridor in order to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza. Egypt denies the existence of underground smuggling routes.
Netanyahu wins debate
During the meeting on Friday night, Netanyahu presented several maps showing how Israel will station its troops along the Philadelphia Corridor. Galant lost control and accused Netanyahu of forcing the maps on the committee, the reports said. Netanyahu then slammed the table, accused Galant of lying and put the maps to a vote. “The prime minister can make all decisions. He can also decide to kill all the hostages,” Galant is said to have replied.
A large majority at the meeting ultimately voted for Netanyahu's position of maintaining control over the border between Gaza and Egypt. Defense Minister Joav Galant was the only one to vote against, while the far-right Police Minister Itamar Ben Gvir abstained.
The hostage families' forum accused Netanyahu of jeopardizing the chances of an agreement with Hamas, which would also include the release of those kidnapped from Israel, with his stance. The indirect negotiations, in which Qatar, Egypt and the USA are mediating, have been at an impasse for months.
