A heated discussion developed between the ministers and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi during an overnight Cabinet meeting.
During the discussion, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was outraged by the War Cabinet's decision to allow the entry of fuel into the Gaza Strip. The Chief of Staff said: "International law should be taken into account, if the entire area becomes an epidemic." Minister Ben Gvir replied to Halevi, "Chief of Staff, international law does not bind you in such a situation. We have heard the legal review."
A person who was present in the room then responded to Minister Ben Gvir, saying, "They will take you to [the International Criminal Court in] The Hague." Minister Ben Gvir replied, "I would be happy to go to The Hague. I was acquitted here 46 times in cases that the State Attorney’s Office filed against me here. So I would be happy to go to The Hague. You haven’t been paying attention. First you gave them water, then food, now fuel, and the next step is soccer and sports. We cannot give them these conditions."
Transportation Minister Miri Regev replied, "America is important, but here at home the public does not understand what is being done, what the goals are, what the motives are."
Minister Bezalel Smotrich said: "Humanitarian [aid] yes, I said from the first moment that humanitarian [aid] should be given. But not one liter of fuel. We have to stand by what we say. I don't say no to my child too many times, but when I say no to him, it's final. Though this is vastly different, here as well, if we say no, it has to be final."
When the defense establishment explained that there is no responsibility for Gaza in terms of the laws of war, Minister Gadi Eizenkot said, "Then who is responsible? I want to know who is responsible."
Major General Ghasan Alyan, Head of the Unit for Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, replied, "I tell you, we checked and we are not responsible."
Eizenkot replied: "I want to know who is responsible in terms of international law." Ben Gvir then answered, "Can you stop with this? They have already answered you three times, they explained international law to you, why do you continue? Are you looking for a different answer?"
Eizenkot said, "Be quiet. I want to get an answer." Ben Gvir responded: "You got an answer three times, but it just isn’t what you want to hear."