Smotrich Admits to Starving Palestinians: “Not a Single Grain of Wheat Will Enter Gaza”
Bezalel Smotrich declares no aid — “not even a grain of wheat” — will enter Gaza as military weighs resuming humanitarian supplies.
Watan-Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich acknowledged on Monday that Tel Aviv is using starvation as a weapon against the Palestinians, affirming: “Not a single grain of wheat will enter the Gaza Strip.”
This came in response to a report published Monday by the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, which stated that the Israeli army is preparing to resume the entry of aid into Gaza even without a prisoner exchange agreement.
On March 2, Israel closed the crossings into the Gaza Strip to all life-sustaining supplies and blocked the entry of humanitarian, relief, and medical aid into the enclave, leading to an unprecedented deterioration in humanitarian conditions, according to local governmental and human rights reports.
The Israeli government announced the halt of humanitarian aid entry into Gaza under the pretext of pressuring Hamas to accept its terms for a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire extension.
Smotrich Defies Army: “Not a Grain of Wheat to Gaza”
The newspaper pointed out that “the Israeli army has informed the government of the need to resume the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.”
However, Smotrich responded to the report by saying: “If this is true, it is astonishing that the Israeli army is speaking to us through the press, and not a single grain of wheat will enter the Strip.”
Smotrich also questioned the logic of prioritizing the return of Israeli hostages from Gaza before defeating Hamas, saying critically: “First the hostages, then the defeat of Hamas — this is a slogan I don’t see the benefit of.”
He added: “It’s good that the war began (on October 7, 2023), and it’s unfortunate that it started in this way, but we are changing the reality in the Middle East.”
Commenting on the report, the Israeli army stated: “The Israeli army operates according to the directives of the political leadership.”
Earlier today, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that “the Israeli army is preparing to resume the entry of aid into Gaza even without a prisoner exchange agreement.”
It added: “Israel is expected to allow the resumption of the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza within weeks — and in some cases sooner — after a five-week halt.”
