Ceasefire deal a “surrender to Hamas”- Smotrich

Ceasefire deal a “surrender to Hamas”- Smotrich

Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich condemned the Gaza ceasefire as a “very serious mistake” and a “surrender to Hamas” on January 19th, according to The New Arab.

Smotrich threatened to withdraw from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition if his country does not occupy Gaza.

Smotrich, speaking to Army Radio, said Israel “must occupy Gaza and create a temporary military government because there is no other way to defeat Hamas.” Smotrich added, “I will overthrow the government if it does not return to fighting in a way that [leads to us] taking over the entire Gaza and governing it.”

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Smotrich’s remarks followed the withdrawal of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from the government in protest of the ceasefire.

Smotrich told Maariv that the truce is “a strategic achievement for the enemy (Hamas) and a terrible and huge defeat for us.” Smotrich also said: “I don’t know who the next [Yahya] Sinwar will be among those released, and I think the most dangerous thing about this deal is perhaps the message it sends that whoever wants to bring Israel to its knees should just kidnap its citizens.”

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In line with the ceasefire deal, Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages. In exchange, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have consistently advocated for the resettlement of Gaza by Israelis and the annexation of the occupied West Bank. Despite opposition within Netanyahu’s cabinet, the government approved the truce agreement, delaying its start briefly on January 19th.

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The New Arab

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