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.
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Need to be taught lesson: SC refuses to entertain bail plea of Mumbai BMW hit-and-run case accused
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court has refused to entertain the bail plea of Mihir Shah, the son of a former Shiv Sena leader, in the 2024 Mumbai BMW hit-and-run case, saying "these boys need to be taught a lesson".
A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and A G Masih took into account that the accused belonged to an affluent family and his father was associated with the Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction of the Shiv Sena.
"He parks his Mercedes in the shed, takes out his BMW and crashes it and goes absconding. Let him be inside for some time. These boys need to be taught a lesson," the bench observed on Friday while refusing to entertain the bail plea.
Senior advocate Rebecca John, appearing for Shah, said the high court allowed him to seek bail after the testimony of key witnesses was recorded in the case. However, sensing the mood of the court, she sought permission to withdraw the plea, which was allowed.
Shah (24) was arrested on July 9 last year, two days after he allegedly rammed his BMW car into a two-wheeler in Mumbai's Worli area, killing Kaveri Nakhwa (45) and leaving her husband, Pradeep Nakhwa, injured.
The accused allegedly sped off towards the Bandra-Worli Sea Link after the accident, even as the woman remained on the bonnet of the car and then got entangled in its wheels for a distance of more than 1.5 kilometres.
Shah's driver, Rajrishi Bidawat, who was also present in the car at the time of the accident, was arrested on the day of the alleged accident. Both are in judicial custody.
Shah has challenged the November 21 order of the Bombay High Court that denied him bail in the case after noting that he was heavily inebriated and failed to stop the car even after hitting a scooter and dragging the victim under his vehicle.
The high court had said in the order that the conduct of the accused at the time of the alleged offence and afterwards does not inspire confidence in the court to grant him bail. It had said that Shah had accidentally crashed into the scooter but sped away at high speed, dragging the victim underneath the car.
His further actions indicate a clear intent to escape the consequences and evade arrest, the high court had noted, adding that his exchanging seats with his driver, calling his father and leaving the scene of offence indicate the predilection to tamper with evidence and/or intimidate witnesses.
