The proposal, staunchly opposed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Israel Prison Service, will be discussed in another forum, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of leaking details about potential cabinet votes to the media, KAN reported Friday.
“Before and during the cabinet meeting, I saw briefings on Arutz Sheva, Israel Hayom, and other places about who supports and opposes the decision on Red Cross visits to prisons,” Netanyahu said during the cabinet meeting after standing up and accusing Ben-Gvir. He then removed the proposal for Red Cross visits from the agenda, to be discussed in another forum.
Sources indicate that this is the “humanitarian cabinet,” which consists of Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and MK Arye Deri, which meets on occasion to discuss humanitarian aid being sent to Gaza.
What was the National Security proposal on Red Cross visits?
The proposal in question, put forward by the National Security Council, would have allowed Red Cross workers to visit terrorists in Israeli prisons. However, it was reportedly removed, due to the National Security Council understanding that it would never gain a majority of support from the ministers.
The proposal had two major points.
International Red Cross vehicles drive by on the day of the handover of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander to the International Red Cross, in the Gaza Strip May 12, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed)
First, in accordance with Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) recommendations, it would be prohibited for the Red Cross workers to visit or receive information about prisoners from Gaza, as well as prisoners affiliated with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Secondly, the Red Cross would be allowed to visit all other terrorist prisoners, subject to restrictions from security officials.
This was meant to be a balance High Court of Justice rulings and international obligations with the need to tighten restrictions on terrorists linked to the main groups in Gaza.
However, Ben-Gvir had still voiced his opposition.
“While Hamas continues to hold hostages in Gaza, it is impossible for terrorists to benefit from visits and preferential conditions,” he said. “The National Security Council’s proposal is a serious mistake that signals weakness to the enemy.”