(USNewsMag.com) – Two prominent far-right Israeli ministers, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have threatened to resign if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepts the ceasefire proposal mentioned on May 31st by President Joe Biden.
On May 31st, Biden stated Hamas could no longer attack like Oct. 7th, adding, “It’s time for this war to end” as Israel’s goals have been met. Biden then outlined a three-phase Israeli proposal that would end the war in Gaza with a “full and complete ceasefire” and include the release of hostages. The proposal eventually culminates with Gaza’s reconstruction.
In the speech, Biden noted there are disagreements about the plan within the Israeli government and called for ordinary Israelis to voice their support for the ceasefire deal.
In a post on social media, Smotrich stated the fighting must continue until Hamas is destroyed and the hostages released, noting a “completely different security reality” must be created in both Gaza and Lebanon. He added that he “made it clear” to Netanyahu that he would resign if the Israeli government agreed to the proposed plan.
Gvir called the proposal “reckless,” adding that it was “a victory for terrorism.”
Netanyahu responded to Biden’s speech by stating Israel will not end the war in Gaza until it achieves all of its goals, including destroying every last member of Hamas. However, Hamas noted it is ready “to deal positively and constructively” with any proposed permanent ceasefire.
Despite the pushback from Israeli officials, the United Nations and other international powers have urged Hamas and Israel to accept the proposal.
However, on June 2nd, the Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant stated that any deal that includes Hamas continuing to rule over Gaza would not be accepted by Israel. However, Gallant added that a “governing alternative to Hamas” is an option under consideration, though Hamas states it would not accept another “group governing Gaza.”
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