Continuation of Gaza war serves Ben-Gvir, Smotrich's schemes: Haaretz
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Both Israeli ministers have called for the resumption of the war on Gaza.
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Israeli Knesset member Itamar Ben-Gvir, left, and Bezalel Smotrich, right, talk with each other during the swearing-in ceremony for Israeli lawmakers at the Knesset, "Israel's" parliament, in occupied al-Quds, on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. (AP)
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir oppose the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip because the continuation of the war serves the ambitions of the "annexation" project, apartheid policies, and plans to occupy and settle Gaza, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.
However, Israeli Channel 12 and the Walla news website reported later on Friday that Smotrich reached an understanding with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the ceasefire-prisoner exchange deal signed with Hamas in Doha last night.
The two media outlets said the agreement addresses Smotrich's demand for the Israeli military to resume operations against Hamas in Gaza following the temporary ceasefire and his concerns about oversight of humanitarian aid transfers to the Palestinian enclave.
While Smotrich and his Religious Zionism party intend to vote against the agreement, the understanding ensures they will remain part of the government, the reports indicate.
Threats to resign
Ben-Gvir, on his part, announced on Thursday that he and his Otzma Yehudit party members would resign from the Israeli cabinet if a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal were approved, though they would remain within the ruling coalition.
"If this irresponsible agreement is approved and implemented, the Jewish Power party will not be part of the government and will leave it," he stressed at a press conference late Thursday evening while keeping open the possibility of reversing course if the ceasefire collapsed.
"If the war against Hamas resumes, with intensity, in order to achieve the objectives of the war that have not been achieved, we will return to the government."
Despite his resignation threat, Ben-Gvir affirmed that his party "will not overthrow Netanyahu."
He also urged Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism party, to quit. Earlier that day, Smotrich had labeled the ceasefire agreement as "dangerous" to "Israel's" security.
He conditioned his approval of the deal and his continued presence in the government on replacing the Israeli occupation military's Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and committing to not halting combat in Gaza.
The i24NEWS website reported that Smotrich demanded on Thursday that Netanyahu ensure the deal would not undermine the war's objectives, particularly the "destruction" of Hamas.
In response to Ben-Gvir's comments, Netanyahu's Likud party issued a statement warning, "Whoever dismantles a right-wing government will forever be in disgrace."
The party defended the ceasefire agreement, stating it would enable "Israel" "to maximize the number of live hostages that will be released... [and] to achieve security successes that will guarantee Israel's security for generations to come."
Both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have consistently advocated for the continuation of the war on Gaza. Ben-Gvir, in particular, confirmed to have previously blocked multiple ceasefire attempts.
On Thursday, he proposed an alternative strategy, stating, "For the release of the hostages, humanitarian aid sent to Gaza must be completely stopped."
"Only then will Hamas release our hostages without jeopardizing Israel's security."
Commenting on the prisoner exchange deal, Ben-Gvir considered that it represents "a defeat for Israel," emphasizing that it marks the end of the war, even though "Hamas has not been defeated."
Read more: Netanyahu claims 'last minute crisis' impeding Gaza ceasefire deal
