Far-right Israeli finance minister urges Netanyahu to cut off all aid, fuel, and water to Gaza

Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to open “the gates of hell” on Gaza after Hamas said it would suspend the release of captives after Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.

Smotrich said that Israel must cut off electricity, water, fuel, and humanitarian aid, calling for a full occupation of Gaza and the forced removal of its entire population - aligning with US President Donald Trump’s widely condemned proposal, Haaretz reported.

Smotrich, who has long opposed negotiations, criticised the captives deal, describing it as a “bad agreement” that has emboldened Hamas. “We have all the international backing we need. Give the order,” he told Netanyahu.