Smotrich: ‘War Must Go On,’ Silent on Whether He’ll Support Hamas Truce
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reiterated on Wednesday that Israel must press on with its war in Gaza, though he refrained from clarifying his position on an emerging hostage release ceasefire deal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly urging Smotrich not to join National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir in quitting the government if a truce is approved.
Smotrich, head of the Religious Zionism party, delivered a video statement following consultations with Netanyahu and other confidants. “We are at a crucial and fateful moment for the security, future, and existence of the State of Israel,” he said. However, he avoided specifying how he might vote on a deal that would see Hamas free dozens of hostages.
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Smotrich has previously opposed such agreements, viewing them as detrimental to Israel’s ability to decisively destroy Hamas. Despite his firm rhetoric, he supported a one-week truce last November that led to the release of 105 hostages.
Channel 13 reported that Smotrich has laid out certain demands to secure his backing for a new deal, including a mechanism to ensure the war’s goals remain intact. Meanwhile, Ben Gvir urged Smotrich to oppose the ceasefire outright and withdraw from the coalition if it passes. Netanyahu, however, hopes to maintain wide support for the agreement, warning that an opportunity could be lost if no accord is reached soon.
Negotiations have centered on a possible multi-stage plan that starts with freeing 33 hostages in exchange for the release of numerous Palestinian prisoners. Some 94 of the 251 hostages taken on October 7 remain in Gaza, according to the IDF. If the truce progresses, it could effectively conclude the 15-month war, though details remain under careful scrutiny.
