Israel far-right minister pledges to oppose Gaza deal
Israel’s far-right minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said on January 13th that he pledges to oppose any deal for ending the Gaza war, as leading officials reported that there has been advancement towards securing an agreement.
Since this month, negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the US have reconvened in Doha to reach a ceasefire deal that would also enable the release of Dozens of hostages in Gaza, the Al-Monitor reported.
Smotrich said on X: “The proposed agreement is a catastrophe for Israel’s national security. We will not be part of a surrender deal that involves releasing dangerous terrorists, halting the war, squandering the hard-won achievements paid for in blood, and abandoning many hostages still in captivity.”
“Now is the time to intensify our efforts, using all available force to fully secure and cleanse the Gaza Strip.”
“We must take decisive control of humanitarian aid to prevent its exploitation by Hamas, and open the gates of hell on Gaza until Hamas surrenders unconditionally and all hostages are safely returned.”
The family members of some Israeli hostages held in Gaza entered a committee room in the Israeli parliament during a finance committee meeting.
The family members, some of which were pleading and crying, claimed Smotrich had abandoned the 98 Israeli and foreign hostages in Gaza.
Ofir Angrest, whose brother Matan was held captive during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7th 2023, said: “These kidnapped people can be returned.”
“The conditions are ripe, it’s time for a deal, the Prime Minister said it. How can you, the Minister of Finance, oppose the return of all these abductees?”.
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Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel was “working hard” to strike a deal that would enable the captives to be released.
During a joint press conference with his Danish counterpart Lars Lokke Rasmussen in Jerusalem on January 13th, Saar said: “There has been progress in the negotiations for the release of the hostages.”
“Israel really wants to release the hostages and is working hard to secure a deal.”
Smotrich has on more than one occasion opposed stopping the war in Gaza.
He made his comments amid increasing calls from Israeli’s, especially families of hostages in Gaza, to reach an agreement that would free their family members.
On January 12th, Netanyahu informed US President Joe Biden about the “progress in negotiations” in Doha.
Netanyahu’s office said in a statement: “The prime minister discussed with the American president the progress in the negotiations for the release of our hostages and updated him on the mandate he has given to the negotiating team in Doha, aimed at advancing the release of the hostages.”
Consecutive rounds of negotiations held in 2024 continuously failed to achieve a deal.
The major obstacles within the talks have been disagreements over a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the level of humanitarian aid for the Palestinian territory.
The deal was also being impeded over the return of displaced Gazans to their homes, the reopening of the border crossings and the withdrawal of Israel’s troops from the Palestinian territory.
Netanyahu has turned down the idea of a complete withdrawal of Israel’s troops from Gaza.
The Gaza war was ignited by the Hamas attack of October 7th 2023, which caused 1,210 deaths. On that date, 251 people were also held hostage.
The New Arab and agencies reported on January 6th that the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said that a truce deal will be taking form.
On January 13th, The National reported that a draft framework of a possible Gaza deal was leaked, proposing a 42-day truce, the partial withdrawal of Israel from Gaza and the release of Hamas’ hostages at different stages.
Al-Monitor, The New Arab and agencies
