Ben-Gvir urges Smotrich to block Gaza ceasefire and captive deal

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
2 Jul 2025 14:33
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Otzma Yehudit’s Itamar Ben-Gvir reportedly seeks support from Bezalel Smotrich to oppose a Gaza ceasefire and captive deal, as pressure mounts on Netanyahu amid coalition and opposition divisions.

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Israeli right-wing Knesset member Itamar Ben-Gvir, left, and Bezalel Smotrich at the Knesset in occupied al-Quds, November 15, 2022 (AP)

Otzma Yehudit chair and Police Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has reportedly appealed to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to join him in opposing a captive deal that would include a ceasefire in Gaza, according to N12 on Wednesday, in the wake of US President Donald Trump's claim that "Israel" had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire and captive release.

Despite the report, sources close to Smotrich denied that Ben-Gvir had approached him or that any meeting had been scheduled, as reported by Israeli media.

"The issue of victory in Gaza is far too significant, and the lives of the hostages are far too precious, to play media briefing games. The finance minister has been working on this matter with full force and utmost seriousness for quite some time," a source said.

Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have both long been opposed to any deal that would end the war in Gaza. This time around, Ben-Gvir reportedly believes that a joint stance between Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism could apply enough political pressure to prevent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from proceeding with the ceasefire agreement.

Meanwhile, opposition leader and Yesh Atid chair MK Yair Lapid responded on Wednesday by offering Netanyahu his party's votes in support of a captive deal. "Netanyahu, against the 13 fingers of Ben Gvir and Smotrich – you have my 23 fingers for a safety net for a hostage deal. We need to bring them all home now," Lapid stated.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also expressed support for a deal, posting on X: "There is a great majority in the government and also among the people for a framework to release hostages. If there is an opportunity to do so, we must not miss it!"

The offer follows speculation that Benny Gantz, a key opposition figure, could potentially align with Netanyahu should a deal be finalized.

Israeli officials clash over captives' fate

It is noteworthy that, on Monday, Smotrich and Ben-Gvir attacked IOF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who warned that expansion of the war on Gaza could endanger the Israeli captives' lives.

The Israeli newspaper Ynet reported that Smotrich directly criticized Zamir during a cabinet meeting, saying, "We want to bring the hostages back, but we’re not willing to sacrifice an entire country for it," while also stressing the importance of moving forward with plans to establish a "southern Netzarim zone" inside Gaza and "redistribute Israeli settlers, relocating them from the north to that area."

Ben-Gvir strongly attacked Zamir's stance, saying, "There's never been a war where defeating the enemy was stopped because of hostages," according to Ynet.

The Police minister added that "the goal must be a decisive victory over Hamas to prevent thousands more future captives," calling for increased pressure on Gaza while insisting that "recovering the most hostages depends on cutting off aid to the strip and expanding the Israeli military's presence throughout Gaza."

These hardline positions come as "Israel's" assault on Gaza continues and captive deal negotiations stall, with the Israeli government refusing to agree to a permanent ceasefire.

Despite its brutal offensive and siege, "Israel" has failed to achieve any of its stated objectives, unable to forcibly free its captives or establish full control over Gaza, as Resistance fighters continue heroic operations, inflicting heavy losses on occupation forces.