Gaza Ceasefire: Disputes Intensify in Israeli Government
Hardline Minister Ben Gvir Threatens to Resign if Gaza Ceasefire Agreement is Approved
Israel’s hardline National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, has threatened to resign if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government approves the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
According to Reuters, the latest statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the Israeli cabinet will vote on the agreement’s approval on Friday.
Meanwhile, the French news agency AFP reported that the cabinet meeting has been postponed to Saturday following Ben Gvir’s threat.
On Thursday, Ben Gvir stated in a televised statement that the Gaza ceasefire and the agreement to release Israeli hostages are being handled carelessly. He claimed that the agreement would lead to the release of hundreds of Palestinian militants.
Ben Gvir further stated that finalizing the agreement would force Israel to withdraw from strategically significant areas in Gaza, undoing its military achievements and leaving Hamas undefeated. He warned that if this irresponsible agreement is approved and implemented, members of Jewish Power will submit their resignation letters to the Prime Minister.
According to Arab media, Ben Gvir has urged Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to join the campaign against the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Reports suggest that the finance minister has called the ceasefire agreement disastrous for Israel but has not announced his resignation.
It is worth noting that Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani confirmed in a late-night press conference on Wednesday that an agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. He stated that the agreement will take effect on Sunday, January 19, though its exact timing has not yet been decided.
