"The prime minister (Netanyahu) is ultimately responsible for launching a campaign to defeat Hamas, occupy Gaza, and impose an interim military government until another solution is found, the hostages are returned, and the Trump plan is launched. Otherwise, this government has no right to exist," Smotrich said in a statement.
Smotrich reiterated his refusal to support any move that would "provide logistical support to Hamas," adding, "Continuing the military stagnation and providing humanitarian aid to Hamas while our prisoners are there is not an option."
The extremist Israeli minister considered that "managing the civilian effort in Gaza in a way that does not fall into the hands of Hamas is the most important element in defeating the Palestinian movement and winning the war."
He added, "This is an integral part of the war effort, and it is far more important than another division and another firepower effort. Without understanding and applying this, we will not be able to win."
Following this statement, an Israeli political source stated that no decision had been made regarding the entry of aid into Gaza. Tel Aviv has continued to close the Strip's crossings and prevent the entry of any food, relief, or medical supplies since March 2.
The source added, "The political echelon has instructed the security establishment and the army to deny Hamas control over humanitarian aid in any situation that may develop."
The statements attributed to a "political source" were issued by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office.
Smotrich denied that he had criticized IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir during a meeting of the Security Cabinet on Tuesday evening.
He said in his statement: "I have no complaints about the Chief of Staff. My criticism is directed at the Prime Minister, who does not impose the policy of the political echelon on the IDF."
The Hebrew newspaper Haaretz reported on Wednesday that Smotrich criticized IDF Chief of Staff Zamir during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday evening, after Zamir expressed his opposition to Israeli soldiers distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza.
The newspaper quoted Smotrich as telling Zamir: "We define the army's tasks, and if you are unable to carry them out, we will bring in someone who can."
The newspaper added: "According to sources familiar with the details of the meeting, the confrontation with the Chief of Staff, led by Smotrich and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, began after Defense Minister Yisrael Katz stated that there was no need to supply aid to Gaza, as Gaza already had sufficient supplies, and that he would oppose any future aid that Hamas might use to control the population and build a terrorist infrastructure," he said.
She added, "Zamir said that soldiers would not provide aid and that the army would not starve the Gaza Strip, which raised questions among ministers about whether his policies differed from those of his predecessor, Herzi Halevi."
The newspaper noted that Netanyahu said that the decision on whether to allow aid into Gaza would be made at the "cabinet meeting scheduled for next Thursday."
On Tuesday, Jens Laerke, spokesman for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said that the Gaza Strip is experiencing the "worst humanitarian situation" since the beginning of the war due to Israel's prevention of the entry of humanitarian aid.
Since March 2, Israel has closed the Gaza Strip's crossings to the entry of food, relief, medical aid, and goods, causing a significant deterioration in the humanitarian situation for Palestinians, according to government, human rights, and international reports.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with full American support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, leaving more than 168,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing.
In early March, the first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel concluded. The agreement, which went into effect on January 19, 2025, was brokered by Egypt and Qatar and supported by the United States.
While Hamas has adhered to the terms of the first phase, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, has reneged on the start of the second phase in deference to extremists in his ruling coalition, according to Hebrew media.