Israel’s Far Right Urges Netanyahu to Escalate Gaza Offensive Ahead of UN Talks
Israel’s far-right ministers are pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intensify military action against Hamas, as the UN Security Council prepares to convene on Sunday to address Israel’s push to seize control of Gaza City.
Nearly two years into the conflict, Israel remains deeply divided between those demanding a ceasefire and hostage release deal, and others backing a full military victory over the Palestinian group.
Tensions flared after Netanyahu’s security cabinet announced plans on Friday to broaden the Gaza campaign. The move sparked protests in Tel Aviv on Saturday, where demonstrators demanded an end to the war and the return of hostages.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a key far-right figure in Netanyahu’s coalition, criticized the decision as insufficient. In a video posted online, he accused the prime minister of lacking resolve.
“The cabinet surrendered to emotion and weakness,” Smotrich said. “Once again, they launched a military operation without the goal of a decisive victory, opting instead for limited pressure on Hamas to secure a partial hostage deal.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir echoed the call for a more aggressive approach. Speaking to Kan radio, he advocated for full military control and resettlement of Gaza, adding: “This plan will not endanger the troops.”
The far-right bloc holds significant sway in Netanyahu’s fragile governing coalition, which depends on their support to maintain a parliamentary majority.
In Tel Aviv, protesters displayed photos of captives still held in Gaza. Shahar Mor Zahiro, whose relative was killed in Hamas’s 2023 attack, warned Netanyahu against risking hostage lives. “If you invade and they are murdered, we will pursue you in the town squares, in campaigns, at every opportunity,” he said.
The cabinet’s latest move drew international criticism, with world leaders urging a ceasefire and warning of worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza. The UN Security Council is scheduled to discuss the developments Sunday.
Despite the backlash, Netanyahu has stood firm. “We are not going to occupy Gaza — we are going to free Gaza from Hamas,” he wrote on social media late Friday.
Israel has faced repeated protests demanding a deal to secure the release of hostages. Of the 251 people captured during Hamas’s October 2023 assault, 49 remain in Gaza, with Israeli authorities saying 27 are presumed dead.
More than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, according to Gaza’s health ministry figures, which the UN deems credible. Hamas’s initial attack left 1,219 people dead, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli data.
