Smotrich: If Netanyahu agrees to a ceasefire, I will resign from the government

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told families of Israeli hostages that he would resign from the government if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approves a ceasefire deal with Hamas, Channel 12 reports.

“If the Prime Minister goes through with the deal, I will make difficult decisions and resign from the government. I told the prime minister that,” the far-right leader reportedly said.

Meanwhile, Channel 12 reports that a senior member of Israel’s negotiation team told the families that officials are seeking to leverage Hamas’s weakened position to reach a more comprehensive agreement, without giving up the possibility of securing the narrower deal Hamas has already accepted.

Pressed by a relative on whether such an outcome is realistic, the official replied that it “also depends on Hamas.”

When asked about the danger to the hostages amid Israel’s military operations in Gaza, the negotiator acknowledged the risks: “We are careful, but there is a risk to the hostages — [their safety] is not guaranteed.”

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has expressed frustration that Netanyahu has yet to convene the security cabinet to discuss the matter, after Hamas agreed earlier this week to a partial hostage release deal. Channel 12 reports that for now, the prime minister has decided not to respond to Hamas’s agreement to the deal.