Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich publicly declared on 9 Aug. that he no longer trusts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ability—or willingness—to secure what he called a decisive victory over Hamas in Gaza. Speaking after the cabinet approved a limited occupation of Gaza City, the Religious Zionism party leader said “my conscience does not allow” support for a plan that stops short of annexing large sections of the enclave. Smotrich argued that although the Israel Defense Forces have inflicted severe damage on Hamas and killed most of its senior commanders, the government has failed to achieve its stated war objectives. He reiterated his view that only the defeat of Hamas and the permanent extension of Israeli control over substantial parts of Gaza would constitute success. The comments expose new fissures within Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition as the war enters its tenth month. Smotrich’s party supplies crucial votes in the 64-seat governing bloc, and his public break with the premier adds pressure on Netanyahu, who is already facing international scrutiny over the campaign’s civilian toll and domestic criticism about the conflict’s duration and costs.