Israeli far-right police minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, on Tuesday, threatened to resign from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government if he agrees to a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal being negotiated at talks in Qatar.
Ben-Gvir also urged the Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, to join him in a last-ditch attempt to prevent a ceasefire deal, which he called a dangerous capitulation to Hamas.
In a post on X, Ben-Gvir said, “This move is our only chance to prevent (the deal’s) execution, and prevent Israel’s surrender to Hamas, after more than a year of bloody war, in which more than 400 IDF (Israel Defence Forces) soldiers fell in the Gaza Strip, and to ensure that their deaths are not in vain.”
The Finance Minister had on Monday said that he objects to the deal but did not threaten to bolt Netanyahu’s coalition.
It was gathered that a majority of ministers are expected to back the phased ceasefire deal, which details a halt to fighting and the release of hostages.
Ben-Gvir echoed remarks by Smotrich, who said on Monday that Israel should keep up its military campaign in Gaza until the complete surrender of the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, whose October 7 2023 attack caused the war.
According to Israeli tallies, no fewer than 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’ 2023 assault on Israel and more than 250 others were taken hostage.
Since then, the Palestinian health officials said at least 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza, with much of the enclave laid to waste and most its population displaced.
DAILY POST reports that the United States, Qatar and Egypt have been mediating a ceasefire deal.
Gaza deal: Israeli minister, Ben-Gvir threatens to quit Netanyahu cabinet