An Israeli far-right minister is mobilizing support to topple Prime Minister Netanyahu's government over a potential Gaza deal.

 

An Israeli far-right minister is mobilizing support to topple Prime Minister Netanyahu's government over a potential Gaza deal.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has called on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to join him in threatening to bring down Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over a proposed ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas.

Ben Gvir criticized the potential agreement as “horrible” and urged Smotrich to unite with him in pressuring Netanyahu by pledging to resign from the government if the deal moves forward. Netanyahu relies on the parliamentary support of both ministers’ parties to maintain his coalition.

“Over the past year, we used our political leverage to block this deal repeatedly,” Ben Gvir stated on X (formerly Twitter). He acknowledged that his resignation alone would not be enough to derail the agreement, which is reportedly in its final stages, but argued that a combined effort with Smotrich could create a “strong enough force” to prevent its implementation.

While Ben Gvir described the proposed deal as a “catastrophe” for Israel’s national security, Smotrich has not yet threatened to step down from the government. Ben Gvir emphasized the need for a united front, stating, “Together, we must make it unequivocally clear to the prime minister that if the deal proceeds, we will both leave the government.”

The two far-right ministers, who were once allies, have clashed recently over disputes concerning police funding.

Gaza ceasefire negotiations have resumed, with mediator Qatar stating that an agreement between Israel and Hamas is "very close" and talks are in their "final stages."