Gaza ceasefire: Will Trump end Netanyahu's rule?

The Gaza ceasefire agreement, landing on the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration, reflected the high priority of this deal for the Trump administration.

But in Israel, it has caused heated debate, with far-right politicians baulking at the prospect. Settlements Minister Orit Strook, who has called for a long-term occupation of Gaza, called the exchange deal a “reward for terrorism”.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s opposition has reportedly held up final approval of the agreement, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has resigned over what he termed a “surrender deal”.

In a last-minute meeting with Smotrich recently, Netanyahu emphasised that Israel must ensure Trump’s continued support, asserting that it is absolutely forbidden to damage our relationship with Trump.

Netanyahu’s position appears to be increasingly aligning with that of the Israeli military, acknowledging that continued bloodshed in Gaza does not enhance Israel's strategic stance, particularly given the rising number of Israeli casualties. 

Read more: Gaza ceasefire: Will Trump end Netanyahu's rule? Opinion by Ameer Makhoul