Israel's Bezalel Smotrich Threatens Government Collapse if Gaza War Does Not Resume After Ceasefire

Israel's far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has issued a stern warning to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition. He threatened to dismantle the government if military operations in Gaza do not resume after the initial ceasefire phase ends in six weeks. This statement came shortly after the ceasefire began, highlighting tensions within the coalition.

Smotrich, who leads an ultranationalist religious party, opposed the ceasefire deal but remains part of the coalition for now. His exit would strip Netanyahu of his parliamentary majority, potentially leading to the government's collapse and triggering early elections. Smotrich claims he has assurances that military actions will restart after the first phase.

Ceasefire Agreement and Political Tensions

The first phase of the ceasefire involves returning 33 hostages held in Gaza and releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The subsequent phase, yet to be negotiated, aims to end the conflict and secure the release of all remaining hostages. Smotrich stated, "I insisted, demanded, and received an unequivocal commitment from the prime minister, the minister of defence and the rest of my Cabinet colleagues -- we will not stop this war a moment before realising its full goals."

National security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has already resigned over disagreements with the ceasefire agreement. Netanyahu is attempting to maintain stability within his fragile coalition but has not publicly confirmed any plans for Phase 2 of the agreement. This lack of assurance adds uncertainty to Israel's political landscape.

Smotrich's threat underscores internal divisions within Netanyahu's government regarding how to handle the situation in Gaza. The potential collapse of the coalition could lead to significant political shifts in Israel. As tensions rise, all eyes are on Netanyahu's next moves and whether he can keep his coalition intact.

The unfolding situation highlights the complexities of Israeli politics and the challenges faced by Netanyahu's administration. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Smotrich follows through on his threat or if a compromise can be reached to preserve government stability.