Ben-Gvir warns will topple Netanyahu’s govt over Hamas
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Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir warns he will topple Netanyahu’s government if Hamas is not dismantled following the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, right, visit the site of a shooting attack at a bus stop in al-Quds, Monday, September 8, 2025 (AP)
Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir warned on Thursday that his far-right Jewish Power party would work to bring down Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government if it fails to dismantle the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas following the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire.
The statement came just hours before Netanyahu’s cabinet convened to vote on the ceasefire plan and the release of captives as part of the first phase of the agreement.
"If the Hamas government is not dismantled, or if they just claim it has been dismantled while it continues to exist under another guise, the Otzma Yehudit party will topple the government,” Ben-Gvir declared in a written statement.
While acknowledging support for the release of captives , Ben-Gvir reiterated his party’s opposition to freeing Palestinian prisoners. “We are happy for the release of all the abductees, but we will vote against releasing the killers,” he said, adding that Netanyahu had personally assured him that Hamas would be destroyed.
“If that does not happen,” Ben-Gvir concluded, “we will dissolve the government.”
Israelis divided over Trump-backed deal
Israeli leaders are expressing sharply differing positions on the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which builds on a 20-point proposal led by United States President Donald Trump and supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.
The agreement, which includes the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees in exchange for Israeli captives, a halt to fighting in Gaza, and Israeli withdrawal, has again exposed deep political rifts within Netanyahu’s coalition as he continues to face ongoing corruption trials.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a key Netanyahu ally, praised the deal in an Instagram post, highlighting the return of captives.
Levin thanked Netanyahu, "who led the ship in its difficult moments and brought us to the historic moment in which we are now." He also thanked Trump for his role in bringing the agreement forward. "The agreement includes tough prices," Levin admitted. He said that releasing Palestinian prisoners is a "very high price."
"We will continue to work to ensure that Hamas never takes arms and control of the Gaza Strip again," he added.
Smotrich threatens deal's completion
Far-right leader and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich voiced strong opposition to the deal, citing security concerns over the release of Palestinian prisoners.
"While I feel immense joy at the pending return of the hostages, I feel tremendous fear of the consequences of emptying the prisons and releasing the next generation of terrorist leaders," the sanctioned minister said.
"We cannot join in the short-sighted celebrations or vote in favor of the deal," he emphasized.
He insisted that "Israel" must continue operations against Hamas after the captives are freed. Smotrich also rejected elements of the US plan calling for international guarantees or steps toward Palestinian statehood, framing them as a return to failed Israeli policies.
