Finance Minister Smotrich rejects Gaza ceasefire deal, wants war to continue
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has announced that his Religious Zionism Party will vote against the proposed Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, saying Israel must continue its military campaign against Hamas.
Smotrich said he feels “mixed emotions” over the agreement, which would see the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a halt to fighting in Gaza.
“I feel immense joy at the pending return of the hostages,” he said, “but tremendous fear of the consequences of emptying the prisons and releasing the next generation of terrorist leaders, who will do everything to continue spilling rivers of Jewish blood, God forbid.”
He added, “We cannot join in the short-sighted celebrations or vote in favor of the deal.”
The security cabinet is expected to meet later today to review the terms of the Gaza ceasefire deal, followed by a full government vote.
A strong majority in favor of the agreement is anticipated despite opposition from far-right members.
Smotrich insisted that Israel must continue fighting even after the hostages are released.
“It is a huge responsibility to ensure that this is not, God forbid, a deal of ‘hostages in exchange for stopping the war,’ as Hamas thinks and brags about,” he said.
“Immediately after the hostages return, Israel must continue with all its might toward the full eradication of Hamas and the real demilitarization of Gaza.”
Smotrich also rejected key elements of the US-brokered 20-point peace plan, which includes steps toward a political process for Palestinian statehood and the possible deployment of an international force in Gaza.
“It is a huge obligation to ensure that we do not return to the Oslo path, God forbid, and that we do not abandon our security to the hands of foreigners,” he said.
He argued that his previous opposition to similar deals had strengthened Israel’s position. “Our insistence led to progress in the occupation of Gaza and the application of military pressure that brought Hamas to its knees,” he claimed.
Orit Strock, Israel’s Settlements and National Projects Minister and a senior member of Smotrich’s party, also voiced concern over the agreement, warning that the coalition could fracture over the issue.
Speaking to Ynet, Strock said that while she recognized some “achievements” in the deal, her party could not stay in a government that accepts its terms.
“I don’t know how it’s morally possible to remain in a government that does Oslo III, sends soldiers to fight and then says, ‘We gave up on these goals,’” she said.
Despite the opposition from Smotrich and his allies, the Netanyahu government is widely expected to approve the ceasefire agreement, marking a potential turning point in the two-year-long Gaza conflict.