Otzma Yehudit to support opposition bill to cut aid, utilities to Gaza

Far-right party Otzma Yehudit announces it will support a bill introduced today by opposition MK Yulia Malinovsky to halt all essential services to the Gaza Strip, including electricity, water, fuel, and humanitarian aid — a move that highlights growing pressure on the government as hostage deal negotiations continue between Israel and Hamas.

Otzma Yehudit says that due to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “rush…toward a capitulation deal with Hamas” despite the party’s firm opposition, it will support “the bill to halt the supply of humanitarian aid to the enemy.”

The far-right party has repeatedly threatened to leave the coalition if the government agrees to a hostage deal with Hamas.

“I call on all Zionist parties in the Knesset that truly want the hostages returned and Hamas toppled to vote in favor of my bill,” Malinovsky says.

Malinovsky’s party, the hawkish Yisrael Beytenu, says that all “Zionist parties in the coalition and opposition” should support the legislation, adding that “the Hamas monsters must not be fed.”

“It’s inconceivable that the State of Israel continues to send thousands of trucks, electricity, water, and fuel to a murderous organization that holds our hostages, endangers our soldiers, and seizes the aid we send,” the statement continues.

The proposed legislation comes as international agencies warn of a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where much of the population faces severe food and water shortages.

Israeli officials argue that limited aid is needed to avert international backlash and preserve diplomatic support during delicate negotiations to release the remaining 50 hostages, but hardline right-wing lawmakers say the supplies are strengthening Hamas and must be cut off completely.