Smotrich opposes partial deal, says Hamas under pressure due to Gaza conquest plans

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich expresses opposition to a potential partial ceasefire-hostage deal, arguing that Hamas has only eased its demands because it fears a planned Israeli offensive in Gaza City would destroy the group.

“Hamas is under great pressure due to the conquest of Gaza because it understands that this will eliminate it and end the story. Therefore, it is trying to stop it by bringing back the partial deal. This is exactly why we can’t surrender and grant the enemy a lifeline,” he writes on X.

“Continue until the end, win and return all the hostages in one stage,” he adds, sharing a photo of US President Donald Trump’s Truth Social post from earlier, which said the only way Hamas would return the hostages was if it were “confronted and destroyed.”