Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir resigned from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government on Sunday, expressing strong opposition to a ceasefire deal with Gaza. His party, Otzma Yehudit, also submitted their resignation, accusing the ceasefire of being “dangerous” and “a surrender deal to terrorism.”
Ben-Gvir’s resignation leaves Netanyahu’s coalition with a fragile majority in the Knesset, Israel’s 120-member parliament. In his resignation letter, Ben-Gvir criticized the ceasefire agreement, which includes halting military operations, withdrawing forces, and releasing Palestinian prisoners convicted of attacking Israelis. Additionally, the deal allows displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in northern Gaza, a provision Ben-Gvir strongly opposed.
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Despite his resignation, Ben-Gvir hinted that his party could rejoin the government if the war in Gaza resumes.
This move has significantly weakened Netanyahu’s position in the parliament. With a slim majority of just 62 members, Netanyahu risks losing his hold on power if other right-wing figures, like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, decide to leave the coalition. Such an eventuality could trigger new elections in the country.
Meanwhile, as the ceasefire negotiations continue, Hamas has named the three hostages it plans to release, clearing the way for the start of the ceasefire, although there has been a delay of over two hours in its implementation. Israel had previously stated that the war would continue until the names of the hostages were disclosed in line with the agreement.
The ongoing conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has already led to over 46,000 casualties in Gaza, while Israel has also lost hundreds of soldiers in the fighting.