Israeli Minister Ben Gvir Renews Call to Fully Occupy Gaza and Stop Humanitarian Aid
While talks progress on a possible ceasefire and prisoner exchange with Hamas, far-right Israeli leaders push for total war and forced displacement.
Watan-Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir renewed his call Thursday for the full occupation of the Gaza Strip, halting humanitarian aid, and promoting Palestinian emigration—at a time when officials are discussing “positive signals” about a possible prisoner exchange deal and ceasefire with the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.
Ben Gvir, leader of the far-right “Jewish Power” party, told Israel Army Radio:“There is a desire to reach an agreement, and that is a grave mistake. We must not stop for even a moment.”
He added:“We need to achieve a complete victory and fully occupy Gaza. We must stop humanitarian aid and encourage migration—not partial deals that yield incomplete results.”
Far-Right Israeli Ministers Reject Ceasefire, Push for Total Gaza Re-Occupation
Despite committing genocide in Gaza for over 22 months, Israel has failed to achieve its declared war objectives—particularly recovering the captives and destroying Hamas’s military capabilities.
Tel Aviv estimates that 50 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, 20 of whom are alive. Meanwhile, over 10,400 Palestinians are imprisoned in Israeli jails, enduring torture, starvation, and medical neglect that has claimed many lives, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights reports.
In a separate interview with Israel’s public broadcaster on Thursday, Ben Gvir reiterated his opposition to the prisoner swap and ceasefire deal currently under discussion, calling it “reckless.”
He also urged Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to join him in thwarting the proposed deal, claiming there is a “historic opportunity to achieve real victory in Gaza, including the collapse of Hamas and the encouragement of Palestinian emigration.”
Both Ben Gvir and Smotrich, leaders of Israel’s far-right, have consistently opposed any ceasefire initiative. They call for the re-occupation of Gaza, the establishment of Israeli settlements, and the forced displacement of Palestinians.
Ceasefire Talks Advance as Hamas Signals Readiness and Netanyahu Stalls
On Wednesday, Hamas announced it is consulting on proposals received from mediators for an agreement that would end the war, ensure Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, and bring humanitarian relief to Palestinians.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated there are “positive indicators” that a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal may be within reach.
Hamas has repeatedly confirmed its willingness to release all Israeli captives “in one batch” in exchange for ending the genocide and a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.
However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—who faces international arrest warrants—continues to stall by introducing new, unrealistic conditions, seeking only partial deals that allow him to prolong the war.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Israel had accepted the “necessary conditions” for a 60-day ceasefire and expressed hope that Hamas would agree.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel—with full American backing—has waged a genocidal war on Gaza, involving systematic killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, in defiance of global appeals and International Court of Justice orders to stop.
The genocide has left over 191,000 Palestinians dead or wounded—mostly women and children—more than 11,000 missing, and hundreds of thousands displaced. Famine has killed many, including children.
