- Senior Israeli officials and U.S. Republicans allegedly discussed targeting Gaza’s aid depots during a meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, sparking global condemnation.
- Ben-Gvir claimed Republican leaders supported attacking aid depots as leverage to recover Israeli hostages, drawing criticism for his extremist stance.
- The far-right minister, convicted of terrorism-related offenses, has advocated for escalating Gaza’s blockade, intensifying the humanitarian crisis and famine.
- International leaders condemned the aid blockade as illegal, warning it worsens civilian suffering without weakening Hamas.
- With Gaza’s death toll surpassing 51,000, renewed ceasefire talks remain uncertain as global divisions and U.S. military aid prolong the conflict.
Senior Israeli officials and powerful U.S. Republicans discussed targeting Gaza’s food and aid depots in a meeting at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate last week, according to controversial Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The revelation has sparked global condemnation, as Israel intensifies its blockade of vital supplies in the besieged enclave, where more than 51,300 Palestinians have died since October and humanitarian conditions continue to collapse.
Ben-Gvir, a far-right figure with a history of inciting anti-Arab racism, claimed the Republicans expressed support for attacking depots “to create military and political pressure” to secure the return of remaining Israeli hostages, as he stated on social media. The session at Trump’s Florida compound involved House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and other top GOP figures, according to Ben-Gvir’s office and media reports—though Emmer’s spokesperson declined to comment.
Ben-Gvir’s extreme agendas and ties to Trump draw scrutiny
The pro-Trump minister, who quit the government in January to protest a temporary ceasefire, has been among Israel’s most vocal advocates for escalation. His trip to the U.S. included a turbulent event at Yale , where pro-Palestinian protesters hurled water bottles and yelled “Free Palestine” as he exited. Ben-Gvir, who smiled and flicked a mockery of a “victory” sign, faces criticism for his radical stance. He once praised Trump’s plan to resettle Palestinians forced from Gaza and has been convicted twice in Israel for terrorism and racism-related offenses.
The minister has framed aid depots as strategic targets, arguing they could indirectly benefit Hamas, a stance shared by far-right leaders in his coalition. His call to obliterate supplies aligns with Israel’s ongoing siege, which has blocked food, fuel, and medicine since March 2, plunging Gaza into famine.
Global outcry over targeting civilian infrastructure
France, Germany, and the U.K. condemned Israel’s aid blockade as “intolerable,” saying it violates international law. The United Nations and human rights groups warn that attacking aid depots—civilian infrastructure protected under the laws of war—would further devastate civilians while failing to weaken Hamas. Over 9,790 Palestinians are behind bars in Israel, many report tortured or neglected, adding to the region’s turmoil.
The death toll in Gaza hit 51,305 on Wednesday, including children scorched in an Israeli strike on a school-turned-shelter, where survivors described flames “like the light of the Day of Judgment.” Israel’s military has not commented, though its frequent claim (without evidence) that schools and hospitals are Hamas hideouts has drawn skepticism. “Humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool,” EU ministers stressed.
During his U.S. visit, Ben-Gvir faced protests not just at Yale but also backlash from Jewish communities. Harvard and other universities are facing federal pressure to resist Palestinian solidarity demonstrations after President Trump demanded investigations into perceived antisemitism on campuses.
Uncertainty ahead
As fighting resumes after a brief pause, Hamas envoys are reportedly en route to Cairo for potential negotiations, with little hope of a truce. With global powers divided and the U.S. providing more than $2 billion in military funding, the conflict’s end remains distant.
The dialogue between Ben-Gvir and American allies underscores the peril of normalizing extreme tactics in conflicts. As Gaza’s plight worsens, international law and moral accountability face their gravest tests yet.
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