Israeli minister Smotrich admits with 'pain, bowed head': We failed

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
15 Oct 2023 22:44

Smotrich acknowledges full responsibility for "what was and what will be."

Palestinians inspect the destruction around Ahmed Yassin mosque, which was leveled by Israeli airstrikes, in Gaza City early on Oct. 9, 2023. (AFP)

According to Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the Israeli government failed to intercept or halt Operation Al-Aqsa flood initiated by the Palestinian Resistance last Saturday.

More than 1,400 Israelis have died, with 3,500 others wounded, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's press office said.

Moreover, according to the Israeli occupation's authorities, at least 155 have been captured by the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza.

During a press conference, Smotrich acknowledged full responsibility for "what was and what will be," adding that the occupation has to admit "with pain and with a bowed head" its utter failure in keeping its settlers safe.

Smotrich admitted that the operation was the most "horrifying" event yet in "Israel".

Smotrich claims to have given orders to shift the priority order of money allocation amid the battle, citing that he had instructed for the change of priorities and that "some of the funds have already been diverted."

The Israeli occupation's aggression on the Gaza Strip has killed 2,670 people and wounded 9,600 others, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported on Sunday as "Israel" continues indiscriminately bombing the Strip and killing innocent civilians left and right.

"There are still many martyrs and survivors under the rubble due to the continued Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip," the Palestinian Interior Ministry said.

The families of dozens of captured Israeli settlers and missing persons protested outside the Israeli Security Ministry in "Tel Aviv" in light of government inaction.

The settlers, demanding the resignation of Netanyahu's cabinet, want the Israeli government to move and return the captured settlers as many remain with the Palestinian Resistance.

Thus far, only three settlers, a woman and her two children, were returned to the occupied Palestinian Resistance at the initiative of the Palestinian Resistance and without any agreement with the Israeli occupation.