Netanyahu faces cabinet threat if Hamas 'continues to exist' under Trump's plan
Photo: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir (Getty Images)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a potential cabinet crisis if a final peace deal to end the war in the Gaza Strip does not effectively eliminate Hamas, reports Times of Israel.
Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister of National Security and leader of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, said he and his party colleagues would leave the government if Hamas "continues to exist" after the release of the hostages under the Trump plan for ending the war in Gaza.
US President Donald Trump proposed releasing all hostages held by Hamas militants. After that, the fighters would lay down their arms. Anyone who "commits to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty," while others would be allowed safe passage from Gaza to other Arab countries.
"In light of recent developments, I and the Otzma Yehudit faction informed the prime minister in a clear manner: if, after the release of the hostages, the Hamas terror organization remains in existence, Otzma Yehudit will not be part of the government. We will not be part of a national defeat, which will be an eternal disgrace, and which will turn into a ticking time bomb of the next massacre," Ben Gvir said.
He did not clarify whether he would leave the government if Hamas complies with Trump's plan or if it refuses. Ben Gvir added that he cannot accept a scenario in which "the terror group which brought about the greatest ever catastrophe upon the State of Israel will be able to resurrect itself."
Trump and his plan
US President Donald Trump said on October 3 that he was giving Hamas a final chance to accept his peace plan for the Gaza Strip. He urged Israel to immediately halt its bombing of Gaza to open the way for a peace deal.
Following Trump's calls, on the morning of October 4, the Israel Defense Forces were ordered to stop the advance on Gaza City. In response, Trump said he "appreciates" and urged Hamas to "move quickly."
Netanyahu said Hamas has only a few days to negotiate over the hostages. After that, the group would be disarmed — either through diplomacy or military action.
For more details on Trump's plan and whether it could succeed, read RBC-Ukraine's report.
