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Today's Paper | March 13, 2026

Published 24 Aug, 2025 08:07am

Israel’s army chief spars with far-right ministers ahead of Gaza City cabinet meeting

Israel’s army chief Eyal Zamir and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had a heated argument during a meeting also attended by Benjamin Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Al Jazeera reports, citing Channel 12.

Smotrich, who is leading the charge on occupying more land in the West Bank, was quoted as saying that the political echelon wants the army to quickly seize Gaza City at any human cost.

“No water, no electricity, they die of hunger or surrender,” he reportedly said, being backed in his criticism of the army chief by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in the meeting.

Israeli media also reported that the security cabinet will meet on Tuesday to discuss plans to occupy Gaza City, as well as a potential deal with Hamas to bring back some captives held in the enclave.

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