Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly trying to quell an uprising by far-right members of his government because he agreed to send about two trucks of fuel a day to Gaza before securing the release of hundreds of hostages still being held by Hamas become.
Nentanyhu reportedly agreed on Friday, amid increasing pressure from President Biden and the West, to send 60,000 liters of fuel, or about two trucks per day, to Gaza to prevent a collapse of the sewage system and prevent further humanitarian crises, according to Politico. This corresponds to only about 3.5% of the amount of fuel that was allowed to enter the Gaza Strip before the war.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a right-wing leader, considered allowing fuel into Gaza “a serious mistake.” He argued that Netanyahu’s war cabinet, which consists of three people including the prime minister himself, should be expanded so that all seven parties have a seat in the coalition government.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Some argue that without daily fuel deliveries, Gaza’s sewage system would collapse and risk the spread of infectious diseases, endangering both civilians and Israeli troops. “If the plague broke out, we would have to end the war,” National Security Council Chairman Tzachi Hanegbi told reporters on Friday.
MORE THAN ONE MILLION PALESTINIANS IN GAZA ARE NOW CURSED; Why don’t Arab countries open their doors?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to send fuel to Gaza. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP)
But Itamar Ben Gvir, the Israeli police minister, claimed, according to Politico, “As long as our hostages don’t even get a visit from the Red Cross, there’s no point in giving humanitarian gifts to the enemy.” Allowing fuel, Gvir said, ” radiates weakness, oxygenates the enemy and allows them to die.” [Hamas Gaza leader Yahya] Sinwar can sit comfortably in his air-conditioned bunker, watch the news and continue to manipulate Israeli society and the families of the abductees.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Early in the conflict, Israel halted oil shipments to Gaza over fears it would power generators that pump oxygen into Hamas’s network of underground tunnels.
Meanwhile, thousands of family members and supporters of about 240 hostages held in Gaza streamed into Jerusalem on Saturday, criticizing Netanyahu’s government over its management of the war with Hamas and imploring the government to do everything it can to bring their loved ones home.
Family members and supporters of the estimated 240 hostages held by Hamas complete the final leg of a five-day solidarity rally from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Saturday, November 18, 2023, demanding their return. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
As public pressure mounted, Netanyahu said on Saturday that Israel’s war cabinet would meet with representatives of the families this week.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
“I’m marching with you. The Israeli people march with you,” he said. “I promise if we have something to say, we will let you know.”
ISRAEL WILL BEGIN A “FOUR-HOUR BREAK” IN MILITARY OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN GAZA, THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS
The march capped a five-day trek from Tel Aviv and marked the largest protest on behalf of the hostages since they were taken to Gaza by Hamas on October 7 as part of deadly terror attacks in southern Israel. About 1,200 people were killed in Israel on the day of Hamas’ surprise attack.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Family and supporters of the estimated 240 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza march in the town of Mevaseret Zion near Jerusalem, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
In response, Israel declared war and Hamas reported that more than 11,500 Palestinians were killed in the past six weeks as the Israeli military launched a devastating air and ground offensive in Gaza, where Hamas has ruled for 16 years.
Last week, the White House said Israel had agreed to implement “four-hour pauses” each day in military operations in areas of the northern Gaza Strip.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
The march came as Israeli media reported that the war cabinet was considering a Qatar-brokered deal to secure the release of the women and children among the hostages. In return, Israel would agree to a ceasefire lasting several days and release several dozen of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners it is holding. Netanyahu denied on Saturday that an agreement had been reached.
“There are many unfounded rumors and many false reports regarding the hostage issue. I want to make it clear that there has been no agreement up to this point,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.