Ben Gvir threatens coalition over open-fire rule changes; IDF says there’ve been no changes

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sends a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatening the stability of the coalition over open-fire rules for IDF soldiers in the Gaza Strip, which he claims have changed while the IDF says they have not.

In his letter, Ben Gvir writes that it was reported that IDF soldiers stationed along the border with Gaza “were ordered not to fire” on Gazans approaching the border fence. He says that the cabinet’s military secretary denied that was the case, “but since then more and more testimony from soldiers is confirming the report.”

He says that “if the open-fire rules are not changed [back], there will be an effect on the coalition.”

Shortly after his letter is publicized, the IDF issues a statement denying any change in open-fire regulations, stating that “IDF troops are acting according to the rules not to allow anyone to approach the border fence.” The rules in question enable troops to operate while preventing friendly fire or harm to Israeli citizens including hostages who may approach the area, the IDF says.