Far-Right Israeli Minister Ben Gvir Slams Gaza Ceasefire Deal as “Dangerous to Israel’s Security”
Ben Gvir opposes the proposed ceasefire and prisoner swap with Hamas, claiming it empowers the resistance and threatens national security, while criticizing Netanyahu's approach amid U.S. pressure.
Watan-Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated on Monday that the proposed ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the prisoner exchange is “dangerous and harms Israel’s security.”
Ben Gvir made this statement during a meeting with members of his far-right “Jewish Power” party at the Knesset, according to the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
He said: “The proposed deal is dangerous and undermines Israel’s security… It gives Hamas what it failed to achieve on the battlefield.”
He claimed the agreement “splits the hostages, allows Hamas to catch its breath, and replenishes its weapons stockpile… We must not go forward with this deal.”
Ben Gvir Pushes Gaza Occupation as Trump Backs Ceasefire Deal
While openly opposing the agreement, Ben Gvir refrained from criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump, who supports the deal.
However, he added: “I’m not sure the direction of this agreement aligns fully with Trump’s expectations. If the Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) had contacted Trump and told him: ‘We must not allow Hamas to recover,’ I have no doubt the President would have listened.”
Two days earlier, Ben Gvir renewed his calls for the occupation of Gaza, establishing settlements there, encouraging Palestinian emigration, and halting all humanitarian aid—despite the catastrophic situation faced by Palestinians due to the ongoing genocidal war.
On Monday, Netanyahu began a visit to the United States that will last until Thursday. He is scheduled to meet with several American officials, including President Donald Trump.
On Sunday, Trump told reporters there was a “good chance” for a deal with Hamas this week to exchange a significant number of prisoners.
Israel estimates that 50 Israeli captives are being held in Gaza, about 20 of whom are alive. Meanwhile, over 10,400 Palestinians are imprisoned in Israeli jails under conditions of torture, starvation, and medical neglect, which have led to numerous deaths according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights reports.
Netanyahu Under Pressure as Gaza War Talks Continue in Doha
Netanyahu’s meetings during his U.S. visit are expected to focus not only on the Gaza ceasefire but also on the recent war on Iran and potential normalization with Arab states.
Meanwhile, in Doha, Qatar, a new round of indirect negotiations began Sunday evening between Israeli and Hamas delegations, aiming for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange.
The Israeli opposition and families of captives accuse Netanyahu of blocking a deal to end the Gaza war due to threats from Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who have warned they would withdraw from the coalition government.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has waged a U.S.-backed genocidal war in Gaza involving killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement—ignoring international appeals and International Court of Justice orders to stop.
This war has left more than 194,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them women and children, with over 10,000 missing and hundreds of thousands displaced.
