Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s commitment to his coalition partners to resume the war in Gaza after the first stage of a ceasefire deal with Hamas would violate the terms of the agreement, according to informed Israeli officials.
Israeli Kan Radio reported that officials involved in the ceasefire talks have stated that any pledge by Netanyahu to restart fighting after the initial phase would breach the agreement and likely undermine the first stage’s success.
This came after Israeli Finance Minister and leader of the far-right Religious Zionism Party, Bezalel Smotrich, met with Netanyahu to demand the resumption of airstrikes on Gaza as a condition for accepting the ceasefire. However, media reports indicated no resolution was reached during the talks.
The Religious Zionism Knesset bloc has voiced strong opposition to the deal, with the party threatening to leave the ruling coalition unless Smotrich’s demand is met.
The agreement stipulates that if both sides reach further understandings, it will lead to a permanent ceasefire and the release of additional Palestinian and Israeli prisoners.
Israeli officials noted that Netanyahu’s pledge to Smotrich effectively signals Israel’s intention to violate the agreement before it is even implemented.
MK Zvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionism Party warned that the party would likely withdraw from the government, stating that they were determined to change the “DNA of the state of Israel” and not just focus on government positions.
Earlier this week, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also criticised the deal, calling it a “surrender” to Hamas and urging Smotrich to help block the ceasefire by threatening to pull out of the coalition government.
