Two far-right Israeli ministers, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have issued ultimatums to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, threatening to withdraw their support and collapse the governing coalition if Netanyahu agrees to a Gaza ceasefire proposal put forth by US President Joe Biden.
The ministers adamantly oppose any ceasefire deal until Hamas is completely dismantled. They insist that the destruction of Hamas should precede any negotiations. However, opposition leader Yair Lapid has pledged his support for the government if Netanyahu backs the US-proposed plan.
According to Biden’s proposal, the ceasefire would commence with a six-week period during which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would withdraw from populated areas of Gaza. The plan also includes the release of all hostages, followed by a permanent cessation of hostilities and a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Gaza.
Both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir condemned the proposal, viewing it as a capitulation to terrorism and a threat to Israel’s security. Smotrich expressed his opposition on social media, affirming his refusal to be part of any government that accepts the outlined ceasefire without destroying Hamas and ensuring the return of all hostages.
The coalition government led by Netanyahu, which holds a slim majority in parliament, relies on the support of various factions, including Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party and Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party.
In response to the ministers’ threats, Lapid offered his party’s backing to Netanyahu, providing a safety net in the event of Smotrich and Ben-Gvir’s departure from the government. Meanwhile, thousands rallied in Tel Aviv, urging the government to accept Biden’s proposal, with some demonstrators demanding Netanyahu’s resignation.
However, Netanyahu’s office reaffirmed Israel’s stance, stating that the conditions for ending the war remain unchanged: the complete dismantling of Hamas, the release of all hostages, and the assurance that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.
As tensions persist, mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the US have urged both Israel and Hamas to finalize Biden’s proposed deal. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also expressed support for the plan, promising increased aid to Gaza if Hamas accepts the ceasefire.
Despite international pressure and domestic unrest, fighting continues in Gaza, with reports of Israeli airstrikes in Rafah and clashes in Gaza City. The conflict, which began in October 2023 with Hamas’ attack on Israel, has resulted in thousands of casualties and ongoing hostilities.