Gaza Crises Ignite Within the Israeli Government: Ben Gvir and Smotrich Against Netanyahu

In a new escalation of disputes within the Israeli government coalition, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir threatened on Saturday to withdraw from the government if Hamas continues to exist after the anticipated prisoner exchange deal, which falls under U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to stop the war in the Gaza Strip.

This threat came against the backdrop of Hamas's announcement to proceed with Trump's plan, which includes a ceasefire and a mutual release of prisoners, with the U.S. President welcoming this step, while Israel prepares to begin implementing the first phase of the plan.

Israeli Channel 12 reported Ben Gvir as saying: "I and the Jewish Power party bloc clearly informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the continued existence of Hamas after the release of all prisoners means our withdrawal from the government."

Ben Gvir is considered one of the prominent leaders of the Israeli right and opposes any settlement that would allow Hamas to remain in Gaza, demanding the continuation of military operations until the "complete eradication" of the movement.

In a related context, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warned yesterday, Saturday, that Netanyahu's decision to halt the attack on Gaza and enter into unconditional negotiations is a "grave mistake."

Smotrich wrote in a post on the "X" platform:

"Halting the attack and starting negotiations without fighting is a recipe for Hamas's procrastination and the erosion of the Israeli position, weakening the chances of freeing all prisoners within 72 hours and undermining the central goal of the war, which is to eliminate Hamas and disarm Gaza."

In contrast, Netanyahu has not issued an official decision to stop the war, but he announced Tel Aviv's readiness to implement the first phase of Trump's plan for the release of prisoners, amid ongoing military operations that have left dozens of Palestinian casualties and injuries in Gaza, including children.

These developments reflect the depth of disputes within the Israeli government between a hardline right-wing camp that rejects any settlement and another camp that accepts negotiations to end the war, amid increasing international pressure to finalize a prisoner exchange deal and a ceasefire in Gaza.