Ben-Gvir reportedly slammed for questioning why surrendering Hamas men were arrested, not killed

During a security cabinet meeting the IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi briefed the ministers and updated that hundreds of terrorists surrendered and were arrested, Israeli media reported on Saturday.

Responding to Halevi’s comment regarding the number of arrests, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir asked, "Are you saying everyone is raising their arms? What should we do with so many prisoners? It's dangerous for soldiers."

Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter replied to the National Security minister’s question, saying, "I'm listening to you and not sure if you're a minister in Israel or of another country."

The IDF Chief of Staff responded to Ben-Gvir, stating, "Dangerous for whom? Those who surrender - we don't shoot. Those who fight us, we shoot. There's no dilemma. We arrest those who raise their hands."

Operating in Gaza

On April 1, the IDF withdrew from Shifa Hospital in Gaza, following an operation in which more than 200 senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad members were arrested, a Maariv report noted. Furthermore, during the operation at the hospital, IDF reconnaissance forces found combat equipment hidden in pillows and patient beds.

Among other things, dozens of mortar shells, sniper rifles, automatic rifles, handguns, explosives, ammunition, and other weaponry were discovered at the hospital.

The IDF is preparing for a planned operation in Rafah that includes a comprehensive humanitarian plan, consisting of infrastructure rehabilitation, aid delivery, deployment of field hospitals, and setting up tent cities, Israeli media reported.