Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has rescinded his threat to quit the government if Israel does not resume fighting in Gaza, according to multiple Israeli news outlets on Monday.
Earlier this month, Smotrich strongly opposed a ceasefire deal that aimed to secure the release of nearly 100 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. He argued that the agreement jeopardized Israeli security and prevented the country from achieving its war objectives.
Hardline National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, along with two other ministers from his nationalist-religious party, resigned from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet over the deal. Smotrich refrained from resigning but warned that if Israel agreed to fully end the war without accomplishing its goals in Gaza—including the complete dismantling of Hamas—he and his party, Religious Zionism, would also exit the coalition.
Prime Minister Netanyahu urged Smotrich to remain in the coalition to maintain the stability of the right-wing government. Smotrich ultimately agreed, according to Israel’s Yediot Ahronot on Monday.
The multi-phase ceasefire deal includes the release of 33 Israeli hostages held in Gaza before further negotiations for the release of the remaining 65. As part of the agreement, Israel is set to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
However, some families of the remaining hostages are skeptical about the second phase being implemented and fear their relatives may be abandoned. These families have held several protests opposing the current deal.
