Israeli Security Minister calls for complete halt to Gaza aid, says it will ‘advance us to victory’
Tel Aviv: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Thursday reiterated his hardline stance on humanitarian aid to Gaza, calling for an immediate and total suspension of all supplies entering the war-torn enclave.
In a post on X, Ben-Gvir described the current flow of aid as “an absolute disgrace,” alleging that Hamas is seizing the relief to bolster its fighters. “What is needed in Gaza is not a temporary halt to the ‘humanitarian’ aid, but a complete halt to it,” he wrote.
Ben-Gvir, a far-right member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet, said he would once again urge the prime minister to bring the matter to a cabinet vote. He had previously been the lone voice opposing the decision to allow aid convoys into Gaza.
“There were those who mocked me… and today what was known in advance is becoming clear: Hamas is taking control of the quantities of food and goods that contribute to its survival,” he stated. “Stopping the aid will quickly advance us to victory,” he said.
הסיוע ההומניטרי שנכנס לעזה כרגע הוא ביזיון מוחלט. מה שנדרש בעזה הוא לא עצירה זמנית של הסיוע ה"הומניטרי", אלא עצירה מוחלטת שלו.
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) June 26, 2025
כשהזהרתי והתרעתי, והיחיד לצערי שהצביע לפני חודש וחצי נגד הכנסת הסיוע שהיה ברור לי כי הוא יתן חמצן לחמאס. היה מי שלעג לי וטען ש"הסיוע יכנס לצפון הרצועה… pic.twitter.com/lDOncD6rSV
Ben-Gvir’s remarks come amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Aid agencies have warned of “critical risk of famine” for the territory’s 2.3 million residents, especially following a complete Israeli blockade in March and April.
Although Israel has since eased some restrictions, allowing limited UN convoys through, the situation remains dire. Relief groups report serious logistical hurdles, including roads blocked by rubble, active military operations, and frequent outbreaks of violence near aid distribution points. Civilians have reportedly come under fire while attempting to access food supplies.
A recent Guardian report highlighted the continuing danger and difficulty of aid delivery under current conditions, despite international appeals for unrestricted humanitarian access.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Foreign Secretary Misri reviews defence, trade ties, West Asia with senior US officials
Washington (PTI): India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met senior US officials here and discussed ways to further deepen the defence and trade relations and exchanged views on the developments in the Indo-Pacific and West Asia.
On a three-day visit here, Misri met under secretaries Michael Duffey and Elbridge Colby in the Department of Defence, and under secretaries Jeffrey Kessler and William Kimmitt in the Department of Commerce.
“Sustaining the momentum of India-US defence exchanges, Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri had another wide ranging conversation with Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby @USWPColby at the Pentagon, covering the ongoing developments in the Indo-Pacific region and West Asia,” the Indian Embassy in the US said in a post on X.
Colby visited India last month and met Misri in New Delhi on the sidelines of the India-US Defence Policy Group meeting.
Misri also had a “fruitful interaction” with Duffey, the Under Secretary in the Department of Defence for Acquisition and Sustainment, at the Pentagon near here.
“Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri had a fruitful interaction with the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Mike Duffey @USDASDuffey at the Pentagon,” the Indian Embassy said in another post on X.
The two principals discussed ways to further deepen the defence industrial, technology and supply chain linkages between India and the US, in line with the ambitious goals laid out in the Framework for the bilateral Major Defence Partnership signed last year, the embassy said.
Misri also met under secretaries Jeffrey Kessler and William Kimmitt in the Department of Commerce here.
Kessler is the Under Secretary for Bureau of Industry and Security, while Kimmitt is the Under Secretary for International Trade Administration.
“Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri met Under Secretaries Jeffrey Kessler @BISgov and William Kimmitt @TradeGov to expand cooperation in commercial and critical technologies – key to transforming the India-US partnership for the 21st century. They also discussed building resilient and trusted supply chains,” the embassy said.
Misri is visiting the US to review bilateral trade and defence relations and discuss global developments, including the crisis in West Asia.
His visit comes as both the US and India work to stabilise the ties after a spell of uncertainty and strain.
The relations witnessed a major downturn after the US imposed punitive tariffs on India, and President Donald Trump made controversial assertions regarding his role in de-escalating the India-Pakistan military clashes last May.
