From the Liveblog of
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Right-wing politicians praise deal but note ‘costs’; far-right leaders mum
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir have yet to react to the news of the deal in Gaza, with the far-right party heads seen as possible opponents to the agreement, but lacking sufficient votes to prevent it from being ratified.
Others in Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party have come out with cautious support, including MK Simcha Rothman, who says that while “now is the time to laugh and to dance with the hope for the swift release of all the hostages,” there is also “much to weep over.”
This is “primarily” regarding “the delay in applying military pressure due to various partial deal negotiations,” he states, in addition to offering regret regarding Israel’s failure to legislate a death penalty for terrorists and the use of Qatar as a mediator in the talks with Hamas.
“If, God willing, the deal is carried out and is fulfilled exactly as written, and if Israel’s freedom of action to eliminate any threat to its security is preserved, our situation will be better than it was before the deal,” he continues — warning that “there is still much work to be done” and that “we must not become addicted to illusions. The agreement has costs and dangers.”
Religious Zionism MK Ohad Tal, whose party has expressed reservations with the deal, thanks God and the troops for the release of the hostages, but insists that “we must not turn a blind eye to the serious problems in the agreement.”
“It is our duty to ensure that Hamas is indeed dismantled, that Gaza no longer poses a threat to the State of Israel, and so we shall do,” he tweets.
Smotrich previously slammed the Trump plan as a “resounding diplomatic failure” and has set out his party’s “red lines” on the deal — although he has stopped short of saying outright that he would try to torpedo it.
Ben Gvir recently threatened to bolt the government if Hamas “continues to exist” after the hostages are freed.
The opposition on Wednesday promised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a political “safety net” if needed to ensure the deal is approved.
In Netanyahu’s Likud party, Justice Minister Yariv Levin comes out in favor of the Gaza deal, but notes that it includes “harsh costs.”
“Releasing terrorists is a very high price. We will continue to act to ensure that Hamas never again possesses weapons or rules the Gaza Strip. There will no longer be a forward terrorist base right up against our borders,” he says, adding that “the entire people of Israel woke up to a morning of great triumph” because “the dear hostages are returning home.”
Similarly, Tourism and Housing Minister Haim Katz declares that “now we must ensure that Gaza terrorists will not pose a threat to Israeli citizens in the future.”
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi appears to frame the deal with Hamas as a complete victory.
“I congratulate our Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump on the agreement to bring all our loved ones home, while firmly and persistently insisting on achieving all the war’s objectives for Israel’s victory,” Karhi tweets.
The Times of Israel Community.