In the background of another discussion this evening (Sunday) on the opening of another water pipeline to the Gaza Strip and the passage of dozens of trucks carrying equipment through Egypt, rifts are emerging from within the security cabinet over a dispute over the decision to allow a chain of humanitarian relief for the Gaza Strip.
The War Cabinet convenes in Kirya // Roy Avraham, GPO
This is in contrast to the first decision, which was made according to the key of humanitarian in return for humanitarian (alongside developments in the issue of abductees). It should be noted that in the previous discussion on opening the water pipeline, three voted against the easing: Energy Minister Yisrael Katz, who led the measures to blockade Gaza, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Bezalel Smotrich.
Minister of Energy Israel Katz. Voted against, photo: Mark Israel Salem
Despite the opposition of his ministers, Netanyahu continues to promote measures to ease restrictions in the Gaza Strip following direct American pressure on Israel in the war cabinet, while the official security cabinet has no influence on the decisions made.
On Sunday, it was reported that aid convoys would continue to cross into the Gaza Strip and that a second water pipeline would be opened to bring water to the center of the Gaza Strip and would break some of the siege measures taken against the Gaza Strip when the fighting broke out. The Palestinian Water Authority officially announced the opening of the pipeline in the Khan Yunis area, but even before that, those leading the measures announced it on the US media networks – the US administration.
Biden at War Cabinet: "You are not alone, we will continue to stand with Israel" // Reuters
Another 15,<> cubic meters of water a day are expected to flow into the Gaza Strip from the second pipeline. It should be noted that the decision was made by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories on the orders of Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Galant, who have the authority to override Minister Katz's initial order on the matter.
Criticism of Netanyahu's conduct in the face of American pressure on the American issue is heard sparingly due to the fact that leaks from the cabinet are frequently examined.
But it should be said that the following arguments can be heard from many of its members over the past few weeks: "The decisions come prepared from the War Cabinet and the ministers only comment and vote."
The political-security cabinet meeting after the outbreak of the surprise attack, photo: Haim Tzach/GPO
Such statements accompany evidence of increasing US involvement in humanitarian issues designed to soften opposition somewhere at home to the president's support for Israel's combat measures in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu also adopted American terminology in his meetings with world leaders when he reiterated that there was no intention to harm Gaza's population of two million. Netanyahu also explained this to cabinet ministers in the previous discussion on the issue, saying: "It is impossible for two million people to starve, this is a direct request by Biden. After all the help we get from him, we have to give it."
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