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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
William Mata

Israel: Far-right allies threaten to leave Benjamin Netanyahu's government over Gaza ceasefire

Two far-right Israeli ministers have threatened to resign if a US-backed ceasefire is implemented in Gaza.

Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich and national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have both said they could leave, which would collapse the ruling coalition. 

Both ministers lead far-right parties that insist on no agreement until Hamas is completely eradicated.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition might receive unexpected support from opposition leader Yair Lapid, who is prepared to back the ceasefire.

However, the conservative prime minister seems more aligned with the far-right ministers' stance and has rejected a permanent truce until further damage is inflicted.

Netanyahu has stated that a ceasefire will not be considered until Hamas's military and governing capabilities are destroyed and all hostages are released.

Joe Biden had put forward a three-part proposal for a six-week ceasefire for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to withdraw from populated areas of Gaza. 

The US president had said the plan would enable the release of the hostages.

On Saturday, National Religious Party–Religious Zionism leader Mr Smotrich tweeted his defiance towards the plan.

He wrote: “[I will] not be part of a government that agrees to the proposed outline and ends the war without destroying Hamas and bringing back all the hostages.” 

Otzma Yehudit leader Mr Ben-Gvir added: "The deal.. means the end of the war and the abandonment of the goal to destroy Hamas. 

“This is a reckless deal, which constitutes a victory for terrorism and a security threat to the State of Israel.”

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