Smotrich and Ben Gvir to Netanyahu: Guarantee No End To War, Or Government Falls
Rabbis close to the Religious Zionism and Otzmah Yehudit party leaders said that if the deal does not foreclose the possibility of ending Hamas militarily, they should not bring down the government.
Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, leaders of the hawkish wing of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, have reportedly told the Prime Minister that without a guarantee that Israel will continue the war after a partial hostage deal, they will bring down the government and force elections.
Netanyahu has been in talks with both ministers, trying to reassure them that the planned deal does not foreclose further operations against the Hamas terrorist group. Rabbis close to the two men also warned against bringing down the government over a "bad" hostage deal if Israel is still free to operate.
Smotrich and Ben Gvir are particularly skeptical of the possibility of continuing the offensive in Gaza after the signing of a deal, due to the demanded international guarantees.