Israeli far-right minister apposes a ceasefire agreement: Report

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich expressed opposition to a captives-ceasefire deal, even if it allows Israel to maintain a presence on the Egyptian-Gaza border. He argued that even the terms supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would undermine Israel’s goals of destroying Hamas and securing the release of all captives.

In an interview on Channel 12 news, Smotrich, who leads the far-right Religious Zionism party, stopped short of saying he would leave the coalition if such a deal proceeded.

Smotrich rejected the idea that the Israeli military onslaught in Gaza hinders the captives release, insisting that destroying Hamas and rescuing captives "are not contradictory goals."

Smotrich clarified that he seeks "a deal of surrender," but not one where Israel surrenders by leaving Gaza. Instead, he envisions a scenario where Hamas is forced to disarm and is expelled from Gaza, paving the way for a demilitarised Gaza to be rehabilitated. He has previously advocated for Israel to regain full control of Gaza and restore Jewish settlements there.

Smotrich ruled out a deal involving Israel's full withdrawal from Gaza, stating that retaining control of the Gaza-Egyptian border is "a minimum."