Smotrich decides not to resign over Gaza ceasefire deal

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Israel’s far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has withdrawn his earlier threat to resign from the government if Israel does not go back to fighting in Gaza, a number of Israeli news outlets reported on January 27th, according to The New Arab via Reuters.

Earlier in January, Smotrich expressed opposition to an agreement made to facilitate the release of almost 100 Israeli prisoners held by Hamas in return for Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons. Smotrich argued that the deal posed a threat to Israeli security and prevented Israel from achieving its military objectives in Gaza.

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The ceasefire deal prompted reactions from members of the nationalist-religious party Jewish Power. Extremist national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and two other ministers from his Jewish Power party, resigned from Netanyahu’s cabinet in protest against the deal.

Smotrich has also urged for the depopulation of Gaza and the set up of Jewish settlements within the territory.

Despite the tension, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested that Smotrich remain’s in the coalition to maintain the stability of the right-wing government.

Smotrich ultimately agreed to stay in the coalition, as reported by Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth on January 27th. However, he made it clear that if Israel agreed to a full cessation of hostilities before achieving its goals in Gaza—including the entire destruction of Hamas—he and his party, Religious Zionism, would leave the coalition.

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The ceasefire agreement, which includes multiple phases, would see Israel release almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Hamas releasing 33 Israeli captives kept in Gaza. The negotiations would then start to free the remaining 65 Israeli soldiers in Hamas custody and complete the removal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

However, concerns have arisen among some of the families of the hostages, who fear the second stage of the deal will not be carried out and that their loved will be left behind. Protests have been staged against the current agreement.

READ:  22 dead in Israeli strike on Gaza shelter, say Palestinians

The New Arab via Reuters

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