Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Knesset members of his party that "it is not right to make political calculations at this time. In the end, we must focus on the test of results - which is the defeat of Hamas." He conveyed this message to them last night, after receiving criticism over the humanitarian pauses in the Gaza Strip, as well as messages from several Knesset lawmakers considering resignation because of this step. He hinted to them that "this is a good strategic move, which cannot be elaborated on at this stage - within a short time we will know if it is succeeding and where we are headed."

